Nationwide — The household of Estella Washington, a 74-year-old African American girl from New York, discovered her physique amongst dozens of stays at an unlicensed funeral residence. The stunning discovery has reopened her daughter’s grief and raised critical questions concerning the facility’s operations.
Estella Washington handed away on November 25, 2025, and her memorial was held at Camelot Funeral Dwelling in Mount Vernon. Her household anticipated her cremation to observe quickly after, however they by no means obtained her stays.
Her daughter, Aloma Washington, recalled what the funeral residence proprietor, Michael Naughton, allegedly informed her, “I do know you’re taking this difficult, so when you’re not able to deliver her residence but, I perceive. Mother will probably be protected right here with me.”
In accordance with WLBT, a state inspection revealed 13 decomposing our bodies contained in the funeral residence, together with Estella’s, with two stacked within the storage. Investigators additionally discovered 17 packing containers of cremated stays within the basement and couldn’t find a single demise certificates for any of the deceased.
Aloma stated the state of affairs has left her shocked and grieving over again. “He by no means let on that there was something occurring,” she stated. “All the way in which in November, you’re nonetheless taking our bodies, and you already know you shouldn’t be.”
Naughton had his license revoked in 2019, and the funeral residence was repeatedly closed and reopened. Regardless of being unlicensed, the funeral residence carried out greater than 20 companies since reopening in August 2025. He now faces prices for working with out a license and is about to return to courtroom later this month.
