Cedric Lodge, a former morgue manager at Harvard Medical School, has been charged for trafficking human remains stolen from the school’s morgue. From 2018 to March 2020, Lodge admitted to unlawfully taking organs, brains, skin, and other body parts meant for research and disposal, without consent from donors or their families. He pleaded guilty on May 21 to federal charges of interstate transport of stolen human remains.
Lodge, along with co-conspirators including his wife Denise, facilitated the sale of these remains via social media and cell phones. Once acquired, the remains were transported to their home in New Hampshire and sold to buyers throughout several states, including Pennsylvania, with shipments sometimes made through the U.S. Postal Service.
Several individuals involved in purchasing the remains have since pleaded guilty, with the bought body parts valued at over $5,000. Among those charged are Jeremy Pauley, Joshua Taylor, Andrew Ensanian, Matthew Lampi, and Angelo Pereyra. A further accomplice, Candace Chapman-Scott, was convicted for stealing remains from an Arkansas crematorium.
In a statement expressing shock, the deans of Harvard’s Faculty of Medicine condemned the actions as a betrayal of trust, highlighting the altruism behind body donations meant for educational purposes.
As of now, there has been no scheduled sentencing for Lodge. The investigation continues, with one individual, Katrina Maclean, yet to plead guilty, who is alleged to have assisted in the illegal activities. The entire case has raised serious ethical concerns regarding the treatment of human remains intended for research and education.
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