In a tragic case, Loquada Brown and Chris Parham, a couple from Maryland, discovered that the ashes they thought were their infant son’s after he was cremated were not his.
The body of their 2-month-old son, Coi’Seir, was later found in the home of Rosa Williams. Williams co-owned Heaven Bound Cremation Services in White Plains, Maryland.
The revelation has sparked outrage and heartbreak. Dozens of others now question whether the remains they received from the same crematory truly belonged to their loved ones.
The Maryland crematory scandal: a shocking discovery
Brown and Parham said they entrusted Heaven Bound Cremation Services with the body of baby Coi’Seir in early January 2025. They said they expected a cremation and the return of his ashes. Instead, weeks later, police informed them that their son’s body had been discovered, decomposing, inside the residence of crematory co-owner Rosa Williams.
In an emotional interview with FOX 5 DC, Loquada Brown recalled being blindsided by the news. “I had my son’s ashes in my living room — or at least I thought I did,” she said. Now, the couple is left wondering, whose ashes did they receive?
A history of violations
Heaven Bound Cremation Services has been the subject of multiple complaints dating back years. According to state inspection records, bodies were found stacked on top of each other in unsanitary conditions. Some were decomposing, and others showed signs of mishandling. In total, 35 human remains — including infants — were discovered at the site or at the homes of those associated with the business.
Despite years of red flags, the business remained in operation until January 2025, when the Maryland State Board of Morticians and Funeral Directors finally suspended its license following a flood of public complaints.
State board faces scrutiny
The incident exposed glaring oversight failures by the state board tasked with monitoring crematories and funeral homes. Following the scandal, multiple board members resigned, including the executive director. Governor Wes Moore condemned the board’s inaction and launched a broader review into mortuary services across the state.
“We’re living a nightmare”
For Brown and Parham, the emotional toll has been indescribable. “We did everything right,” said Chris Parham. “We paid for the cremation, we trusted them. And now we’re living a nightmare.”
Attorneys for several families — including the Browns — are exploring legal options, citing gross negligence and emotional damages. Experts say the families could pursue both civil damages from the crematory and possible action against the state for inadequate oversight.
Who has the right ashes?
With dozens of bodies unaccounted for or misidentified, the question remains chillingly unanswered: Whose ashes were given to grieving families — and where are the missing bodies?
The state has set up a dedicated hotline for those who suspect they may have been affected by the Heaven Bound scandal. Investigators are using DNA analysis to try to confirm identities where possible, but for many, closure may never come.
The Maryland crematory scandal involving Brown and Parham, and the tragic mishandling of baby Coi’Seir’s remains, has sparked a reckoning in the funeral services industry. It is a grim reminder of the importance of oversight, accountability, and respect for the dead — and the living who mourn them.
