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Arrests Made in Human Remains Trade Tied to Harvard Medical School: What You Need to Know

Federal investigators have uncovered a disturbing human remains trafficking network connected to Harvard Medical School, resulting in multiple arrests across the U.S.(NBC Boston, Wikipedia)

At the center of the case is Cedric Lodge, the former morgue manager at Harvard’s Anatomical Gift Program. From 2018 to as recently as 2023, Lodge is accused of stealing body parts—heads, brains, skin, bones, and organs—from cadavers donated for teaching and research, then transporting them across state lines to sell to buyers, some of whom even visited the morgue to select specific parts(Axios, Reuters, Wikipedia, NBC Boston, People.com).

Lodge, his wife Denise, and several accomplices—including Katrina Maclean (owner of a macabre novelty store), Joshua Taylor, and Mathew Lampi—were indicted on charges of conspiracy and interstate transport of stolen goods(NBC Boston, Wikipedia). The case initially came to light when Jeremy Pauley, a collector in Pennsylvania, was arrested in July 2022 after authorities discovered large amounts of human remains in his home, including skulls and organs(Boston.com, People.com, Wikipedia).

In recent developments, Cedric and Denise Lodge have pleaded guilty to federal charges. Cedric faces up to 10 years in prison and significant fines; sentencing is still pending(Reuters, Axios, People.com). Meanwhile, Jeremy Pauley received two years of probation after admitting his role in the wider network(People.com).

The scandal has sparked outrage among families of donors and raised pressing questions about oversight and ethics in medical donation programs. Harvard has condemned the acts as “morally reprehensible” and initiated independent reforms of its cadaver donation system(Axios, Reuters, NBC Boston).