Harvard Medical School morgue manager sold parts

A former manager at the Harvard Medical School morgue, his wife and three other people have been indicted in the theft and sale of human body parts. Cedric Lodge, 55, stole dissected portions of cadavers that were donated to the school in a scheme that stretched from 2018 to early 2023. Lodge took the body parts — which included heads, brains, skin and bones — back to his home where he lived with his wife, Denise, 63. Some remains were sent to buyers through the mail. Lodge also allegedly allowed buyers to come to the morgue to pick what remains they wanted to buy.

7 were busted, including Jeremy Pauley. He is accused of exchanging more than $100k in deals involving stolen human parts. Pauley’s human remains shopping led cops to another rogue morgue employee selling body parts out of Arkansas. Among the body parts sold included two desiccated faces Lodge got $600 for, and in 2020, one sent $200 with a memo that read, “braiiiiiins.” The defendants face conspiracy and the unlawful transportation of stolen goods charges, which carry a maximum of 15 years behind bars.

Deans George Daley and Edward Hundert called the matter “morally reprehensible.” They said Lodge was fired May 6.