Decade-old remains found in unrefrigerated morgue

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rhode Island's medical examiner is trying to identify several bodies that had been stored for up to a decade or more at a Providence funeral home.

The Providence Journal reports six bodies and two cremated remains were found last week in a garage that had been converted into an unrefrigerated morgue at the Pennine Funeral home.

CBS affiliate WPRI reports that of the six bodies found, three were elderly men, two were elderly women and one was a fetus.

Authorities say the funeral home's director, Alfred Pennine, committed suicide last week in New Hampshire.

Another funeral director found the remains after returning from New Hampshire with Pennine's body. Michael Berarducci says some of the bodies appeared to be identified with hospital tags.

Police, the state Health Department and the Medical Examiner's Office are investigating.

WPRI reports that n 2007, Pennine's license to perform funeral services and embalming was suspended for two years, according to documents.