Georgia Crematory Operator Jailed in Body Dumping Case Freed on Bail

LAFAYETTE, Ga. —  A Georgia crematory operator jailed since February on allegations he took money for cremations and dumped 339 bodies on his property was released on bail Tuesday, authorities said.

Ray Brent Marsh, operator of the Tri-State Crematory in Noble, Ga., was picked up at the Walker County Jail by his lawyer, according to the county sheriff’s office.

Marsh, 29, has been held since Feb. 17 on 339 charges of theft by deception stemming from the discovery of the corpses stacked in sheds, scattered in the woods and buried on the property around the crematory his family owns. Noble is 100 miles northwest of Atlanta.

Marsh’s bail was set in July, and he and his family have worked since then to raise the $159,000 bond, including $39,000 in cash, Marsh needed to be released.

Sheriff Steve Wilson said that Marsh would essentially be held under house arrest at his parents’ home. He must wear an electronic ankle bracelet that tracks his whereabouts and police will make unannounced visits each week.