DOUGLAS, Ga. (WALB) - Chris Johnson, owner and director of Johnson Funeral and Cremation Services, was denied bond in a hearing on Wednesday morning.

This hearing was originally set for Nov. 19, 2024, but it was delayed after the district attorney (DA) filed a motion to postpone until 2025.

The DA argued that “due to the alleged action of Johnson, the state cannot fulfill its duty to notify the families of the deceased person’s prior to the bond hearing in a respectful manner.”

Johnson was arrested in October 2024 after 18 decomposing bodies were found in his funeral home. He is currently facing 17 counts of abuse of a dead body, three counts of violation of vital records registration, and one count of theft by taking.

WALB’s Ashanti Isaac is in attendance for today’s court proceedings, and she will have more information in later newscasts.

Previous coverage:

• Funeral directors offer free services to families impacted by Johnson Funeral Home
• District attorney requests bond hearing delay for Douglas funeral home director
• Douglas funeral home owner faces additional charges
• 12 of 18 of decomposing bodies found inside of Douglas funeral home identified
• GBI answers commonly asked questions regarding Johnson Funeral Home in Douglas
• ‘I can’t have peace of mind because I don’t know what’s in that coffin’: Families demanding answers
• Douglas funeral home director transported to Tift County Jail
• Albany funeral home manager speaks on proper cremation protocol
• Douglas funeral home owner facing eviction charged after discovery of 18 decomposing bodies
• Funeral home owner arrested after 18 decomposing bodies were found during eviction

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