“This was no doubt an investigation that will have a long-lasting impact on the family members of the deceased as well as the investigators.  Our thoughts are with all impacted by these alleged acts as this case moves forward with the criminal charges.” – CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

LOS ANGELES – on April 29, 2022, Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer announced the filing of 22 criminal charges against Mark B. Allen (Allen), aka Mark B. Allen Jr., owner of the Sun Valley funeral home that bore his name, after the non-cremated remains of 11 people – including infants – were found in various stages of decay and mummification on two separate occasions over the past year.

The remains were discovered by the California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, the L.A. County Coroner’s Office and LAPD, who opened an investigation into the Mark B. Allen Mortuary and Cremations Services, Inc. after receiving complaints from next-of-kin of decedents. The Mortuary is now closed.

For each of the 11 bodies, Allen is charged with violating California Health and Safety Code sections 7054 (a)(1) and (2).

California Health and Safety Code section 7054 (a)(1) states that “…every person who deposits or disposes of any human remains in any place, except in a cemetery, is guilty of a misdemeanor.” California Health and Safety Code section 7054(a)(2), which applies to Allen in his role as a funeral director, states that a violation of the section “…shall be punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year, by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or both that imprisonment and fine.”

Under this section, Allen faces the maximum penalty of up to $110,000 and up to 11 years in jail.

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