Tragedy turned into twisted fraud for Houston families when Javian Major, 26, allegedly conned them out of their deceased loved ones' life insurance, posing as a caring funeral director. This crime news story, uncovered by Harris County investigators, exposes a cold-hearted scam preying on people at their most vulnerable.
Major's alleged scheme unraveled after he pocketed a $25,000 life insurance payout, leading to a forgery charge. But the investigation unearthed a web of deceit as over 50 victims came forward, accusing Major of similar heartless tricks.
"This case made me sick," admitted Alan Rosen, Harris County Constable, at a press conference. "He preyed on grieving families after they lost someone they loved. That's just low."
Victims say Major contacted them on social media or through friends, pretending to be a licensed funeral director ready to handle their arrangements. But his promises of taking care of everything were empty. Authorities confirm Major wasn't even a legal funeral professional.
The investigation, sparked by the Texas Funeral Service Commission in May 2023 over forged life insurance policies, revealed a trail of broken trust.
One victim, Ernest A’akquanakhann, lost his sister, Deidre, in March 2023. He trusted Major, a relative, to transport her body from Louisiana for cremation in Houston.
"He took her to a crematory, but faked my brother-in-law's signature," A’akquanakhann shared. "The crematory wouldn't release her until my brother-in-law recognized the forgery and misspelled name." This delay, caused by Major's alleged scam, stretched Deidre's cremation for three agonizing months.
Adding to the family's grief, Major allegedly swindled Deidre's insurance money by forging another relative's signature.
Another victim, a grieving mother, recounted her horrifying experience. After losing her son, she entrusted Major with embalming his body. After repeated requests to see the remains, Major led her and her other son to a shady church at 9 pm.
"The stench hit us like a brick wall," she recalled. "When I saw my son, I was horrified. His body was bloated and discolored. There was no attempt at embalming. I confronted him, but he lied, saying the church always smelled like that."
The investigation widened to include 38-year-old Sandy Broussard, Major's alleged accomplice, who faces a theft charge. Both were released on bail.
This crime news paints a chilling picture of how fraudsters exploit grief for personal gain. As authorities continue their investigation, one thing remains clear: Major's alleged actions inflicted deep emotional wounds on these families, adding insult to the already unbearable loss of their loved ones.
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