Call us: +1 (888) 477-0015
Crime Scene & Biohazard Cleanup in Richmond, KY
If you have just found a death or trauma scene in Richmond, the most important things are simple: you and your family are safe, and you do not have to handle the cleanup yourselves. This page explains what happens next, who does what, and how the cost is usually covered, so you can make clear decisions in a hard moment. When you are ready, ACT Cleaners answers 24 hours a day at (888) 477-0015, and a real person will walk you through it.
What to Do in the First Hour
In the first hour after discovering a scene, a few steps protect your safety and your options. None of them involve cleaning.
- Call 911 if you have not already. Law enforcement and the Madison County Coroner need to respond before anything is touched.
- Stay out of the affected area. Blood and bodily fluids can carry pathogens, and entering can also disturb an active investigation.
- Let investigators do their work. The scene is theirs until they formally release it. This is normal and it does not delay you long.
- Then call a certified cleanup team. Once the scene is released, the cleanup of the property falls to the family or owner, not the police. That is the part we handle.
Many people are surprised to learn the last point: the coroner and police investigate and remove the deceased, but the biohazard cleanup of the home or vehicle is the property owner’s responsibility. You do not have to take that on yourself, and you should not.
800+ Scenes Restored
25+ Years
Veteran-Owned
IICRC Certified
BBB A+
Who You Are Calling
ACT Cleaners is a veteran-owned biohazard remediation company that has restored more than 800 scenes over 25 years of work. Our Richmond-area technicians are trained and certified through the IICRC for trauma and crime scene decontamination, and every job follows the federal OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030). We are not a franchise call center; when you call, you reach people who do this work and who coordinate directly with local authorities, insurers, and families. We hold a BBB A+ rating, and we are glad to explain our process and credentials before you commit to anything.
Serving Richmond and Madison County
Richmond is the seat of Madison County and currently the fastest-growing city in Kentucky, with about 37,000 residents and a metro reach of more than 130,000 across the Richmond-Berea area. Sitting just south of Lexington along Interstate 75, it is home to Eastern Kentucky University and a mix of historic downtown blocks, fast-growing new subdivisions, student rentals, and the rural roads that stretch toward Berea and the foothills. ACT Cleaners serves all of Richmond and Madison County, around the clock, with the same care we would want for our own families.
Our technicians respond to unattended death, suicide, homicide, blood and bodily fluid incidents, hoarding, and infectious disease decontamination. We use EPA-registered, hospital-grade products and close every job with ATP verification testing, which confirms a surface is genuinely decontaminated rather than simply looking clean.
Cleanup Services We Provide in Richmond
- Unattended death cleanup: thorough decontamination after someone has passed alone and gone undiscovered.
- Suicide scene cleanup: private, compassionate remediation so loved ones never face the aftermath.
- Homicide and violent crime scene cleanup: complete removal of biohazardous material once investigators release the scene.
- Blood and bodily fluid cleanup: prompt response to accidents and medical events that create a health risk.
- Hoarding and gross filth cleanup: patient, judgment-free restoration of a home to a safe condition.
- Student housing and new-development cleanup: from EKU-area rentals to Richmond’s growing subdivisions, with documentation for owners and managers.
- Infectious disease and MRSA decontamination: disinfection of spaces exposed to dangerous pathogens.
How We Work With Local Authorities
In Kentucky, the county coroner investigates sudden, violent, and unexpected deaths. The Madison County Coroner’s Office works alongside the Richmond Police Department, a state-accredited agency with its own crime scene technicians, plus the EKU Police on campus, the Madison County Sheriff, and the Kentucky State Police Post 7 in Richmond where applicable. We never enter a scene until investigators have released it, and once they do, we coordinate access with law enforcement, a property manager, or a family member, so you are not asked to be present.
How the Cost Usually Works
Most Richmond families pay little or nothing out of pocket. Homeowner’s insurance commonly covers biohazard and trauma cleanup, and we bill your carrier directly so you are not fronting the cost. When a crime is involved, Kentucky’s Crime Victims Compensation program may help on top of insurance. As of 2024, the program raised its maximum award to $50,000, increased funeral reimbursement to up to $10,000, and specifically added crime scene cleanup to its list of reimbursable expenses. You can reach the Kentucky Crime Victims Compensation Board at 502-782-8255, and we are happy to help you understand whether your situation may qualify. We will not overstate what a program covers; we will simply point you to the right door.
Richmond Pro Tip: a fast-growing city with very different housing
Because Richmond is growing so quickly, its housing ranges from older homes near downtown and EKU to brand-new subdivisions and a heavy student-rental market. The right cleanup approach differs between them. In older homes, contamination can wick into original wood and unsealed basements; in newer construction, it can travel through subfloor and HVAC returns; in rentals, a scene is often found late by a property manager. Whatever the property, ask that areas beyond the visible scene be inspected. We check for hidden migration as standard, which is what prevents odor and contamination from returning later.
Richmond Crime Scene Cleanup: Common Questions
What should I do first after finding a death or trauma scene?
Call 911 if you have not already, so law enforcement and the Madison County Coroner can respond, and stay out of the affected area. Once investigators release the scene, call ACT Cleaners at (888) 477-0015 and we will handle the cleanup and the insurance paperwork.
Isn't cleanup something the police or coroner handle?
No. Law enforcement and the coroner investigate and remove the deceased, but the biohazard cleanup of the property is the responsibility of the owner or family. That is the part we handle, to OSHA standards.
Does insurance or Kentucky compensation cover it?
Often, yes. Most homeowner’s policies cover biohazard and trauma cleanup, and we bill the carrier directly. Kentucky’s Crime Victims Compensation program may also apply, and as of 2024 it lists crime scene cleanup as a reimbursable expense.
How long does a typical cleanup take?
It depends on the size of the affected area and how long the scene sat, but many residential scenes are completed in a day. We give you a realistic timeline when we assess the scene.
Do you handle student housing near EKU?
Yes. Richmond has a large rental market around Eastern Kentucky University, and we work with students, families, and landlords discreetly, with documentation for the property owner.
When You Are Ready, We Are Here
There is no rush to decide everything at once. When you are ready, ACT Cleaners is available around the clock for Richmond and Madison County, with certified technicians who handle the hardest part so your family can focus on each other. Call (888) 477-0015 any time.
Serving all of Kentucky: see our Kentucky crime scene cleanup coverage, or visit the ACT Cleaners home page.
ACT Cleaners · Veteran-Owned · 24/7 in Richmond & Madison County · (888) 477-0015