Spaulding Decon offers Free Crime Scene Cleanup to Families of Homicide Victims

Spaulding Decon offers free crime scene cleanup services to families of homicide victims. Offered in Florida, the program covers the cost of cleaning single-family residences and is open to families without the financial means to pay for services.

Apr 27, 2010 – Spaulding Decon, LLC, a fully licensed and certified biohazard cleaning and decontamination business for commercial, residential and industrial locations, is now offering free crime scene cleanup services to families of homicide victims.

Offered across Florida, the program covers the cost of cleaning single-family residences only, and is open to families who do not have the financial means or homeowners insurance to cover crime scene cleanup. It includes cleanup and disposal of carpet, hardwood floors, and all disposal fees. Replacement costs are not included.

“Experiencing the homicide of a family member is tragic enough. But when families discover that they, not the authorities, are responsible for cleaning up the aftermath of their loved one’s violent death, it is a devastating blow to individuals who are already fragile in their grief,” said Laura Spaulding, a former law enforcement officer who founded Spaulding Decon five years ago. “By offering this service, Spaulding Decon is able to alleviate some of the shock, stress and financial hardship involved in dealing with the aftermath of tragedy.”

Certain eligibility requirements apply, including cooperation in the investigation and prosecution, and report of the crime to law enforcement within a reasonable timeframe. Victims who contributed to the crime or committed a crime at the time of the incident are ineligible, and the claim for compensation must be filed within one year of the crime unless good cause is shown for the delay.

For families with homeowners insurance, which typically will cover the cost of crime scene cleanup, Spaulding Decon will file for reimbursement through the insurance company and waive the deductible.

In addition, the company will guide families through the application process for financial assistance to help cover the costs of funerals, grief counseling and other appropriate mental health services, medical care, lost income and various out-of-pocket expenses related to the injury or death.

Since 2005, Spaulding Decon has earned a reputation as one of the few companies in the Tampa Bay area and nationwide to be completely licensed, bonded, certified and insured to properly clean and decontaminate biohazard, blood and crime scenes. In addition to crime, suicide and unattended death scenes and hoarder “pack rat” situations, the company offers professional clean up and decontamination of meth labs, cat and dog waste, rodent droppings, traffic accidents, and odor removal.

Other non-emergency services include medical waste pickup, fingerprint dust removal and tear gas cleanup. For more information about the services offered by Spalding Decon visit www.spauldingdecon.com or call 866-99-DECON.

About Spaulding Decon, LLC
Based in Tampa, Fla., Spaulding Decon provides nationwide service for crime scene cleanup, bio hazard decontamination, meth lab cleanup and hoarder or “pack rat” cleanup. The company is fully licensed and certified for commercial, residential and industrial cleaning services and offers exceptional service guarantees. The staff is trained in the proper cleaning and disposal of hazardous material, and exemplifies the utmost sensitivity and privacy when dealing with victims of traumatic events. Spaulding Decon offers 24-hour service in most areas of the United States. For additional information about Spaulding Decon, please visit www.spauldingdecon.com or call toll-free 866-99-DECON (866-993-3266), 813-298-7122 for the Tampa office, or 407-405-4413 for the Orlando office.

Not your typical cleaning ladies

By Jacqueline Green


When Estates residents Alice Jackson and Tracy Gunn are asked that common question, "What do you do for a living?" their answer shocks most people.

That's because these best friends are the owners and operators of Scene Clean, a crime and trauma scene cleanup service.

Although their service deals primarily with murder and unattended death, Jackson and Gunn handle any clean-up that involves bio-hazardous materials from suicides to homeless camps.

The two established Scene Clean three years ago. They both worked in the cleaning industry and shared an interest in forensics. The business caters to crime scenes from Orlando to the Florida Keys.

"Families tend to think that the police handle crime scene clean up but that's not the case," Gunn explains, "Most families do not know where to turn and are left to handle the cleanup themselves, which can be very traumatizing when dealing with grief." In fact, all calls received by Scene Clean come from family members or friends of the deceased. The police only aid them by giving the families a reference list of local cleaning companies who specialize in bio-hazard disposal. For most situations, Gunn says Scene Clean is at the top of the list.

"We are meeting these families on the worst day of their lives, so when we communicate with them we chose our words very carefully," says Gunn. Even in introductions, she says she's hesitant to give her full name because hearing the word, "gun" can arouse an emotional response.

In most cases, she uses her maiden name.

On occasion, the women aid sheriff and police officials in their investigations by finding forensic evidence that could have been overlooked. To this date however, they haven't found anything that was considered vital evidence in an investigation.

When asked about the worst scene they've worked, Jackson and Gunn recalled a case involving an elderly man.

"He had passed away and was not found for a month," says Jackson. "He had about 25 to 30 cats and most of the cats had died as well from starvation. The remaining cats were feasting on the deceased cats when we arrived. Needless to say it was a mess, and the smell of decomposition had attached itself to everything in the residence." The two say the most rewarding part of their unusual job is aiding families at the worst possible time.

"They don't make a bio-hazard suit to protect you from the emotions that come with this job," Gunn says, "but knowing we are bringing relief to the families is a reward in itself." She says trauma clean-up is not something anyone thinks of until they are dealing with the loss of a loved one.

For Jackson this is something that hits close to home.

"I can sympathize with the victims because I lost both of my parents," she says. "I can see their grief and I can relate." According to Gunn, Scene Clean is the only locally-owned trauma cleanup company. She says they also work with insurance companies and offer discounted rates to uninsured customers in need.