NY funeral parlor of horrors named ‘Camelot’ stacked decaying bodies like cargo while ripping off grieving family members
A Mount Vernon funeral home in Westchester County, known as “Camelot,” allegedly exploited grieving families while failing to properly care for their deceased relatives, authorities said. Bodies were reportedly left decomposing in a garage, stacked like shipments in a warehouse, according to state officials.
Michael Naughton, 55, of Baldwin on Long Island, continued to operate the funeral home despite having his license revoked seven years ago. Prosecutors with the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James said Naughton defrauded dozens of families who trusted him to handle funeral arrangements respectfully. A 20-count indictment detailing the charges was made public on Thursday.
“Arranging a loved one’s funeral is one of life’s most vulnerable moments. Naughton exploited New Yorkers during this time, knowingly running an unlicensed funeral home and neglecting the remains in his care,” AG James said in a statement.
The scheme came to light during a surprise inspection in January by the New York Department of Health. Investigators discovered 13 bodies in various states of decomposition scattered throughout the building, some piled on top of one another, along with 17 boxes of cremated remains. Following the inspection, State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald issued an emergency order shutting Camelot down and requiring Naughton to surrender all records and cooperate with authorities.
“These violations highlight why funeral directors must be licensed to handle human remains,” McDonald said.
According to the indictment, Naughton personally negotiated prices, signed contracts, arranged transport of the deceased, presided over funeral services, and oversaw disposition of remains—all tasks he was not legally authorized to perform. The investigation shows he operated this scheme from at least May 2025 through January 2026, collecting thousands of dollars from dozens of families under false pretenses.
Naughton is also accused of forging a Burial Transit Permit, a required document for legally moving bodies.
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard called the case “deeply disturbing and heartbreaking,” noting the emotional toll on families who were exploited during a time of mourning.
The indictment includes nine misdemeanor counts of unlicensed practice as a funeral director and 11 felony charges. The felonies consist of nine counts of grand larceny or attempted grand larceny, one charge of scheming to defraud, and one for criminal possession of a forged instrument related to the burial permit. If convicted on the most serious charge, Naughton could face up to seven years in prison.
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