Former Harvard Morgue Manager Pleads Guilty in Body Parts Case

A former manager of the Harvard Medical School morgue recently wrapped up a legal matter involving allegations of attempting to steal and sell donated human body parts.

Cedric Lodge, 57, from Goffstown, New Hampshire, pleaded guilty to the interstate transport of stolen human remains in court on Wednesday before Chief Judge Matthew W. Blanc of the U.S. District Court, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Pennsylvania.

The maximum penalty he faces under federal law is ten years in prison, along with a period of supervised release and a potential fine. This will be determined by the judge after considering relevant federal sentencing laws and guidelines.

Authorities reported that Lodge admitted to being involved in the sale and transport of body parts taken from the Harvard Medical School morgue in Massachusetts, a practice that lasted from 2018 until at least March 2020.

In his role at the morgue, Lodge removed various human remains, including organs, skin, and even dissected heads, all without proper authorization.

Essentially, he took these remains to his home in New Hampshire without the consent of his employer, the donors, or their families. After obtaining the bodies, he and his wife allegedly sold them, either shipping them to buyers in other states or selling them directly.

As one official noted, “Lodge has accepted responsibility for his actions, though this may bring little solace to the families affected by his wrongdoing.” There’s definitely a feeling of sympathy towards those involved.

In related cases, several defendants have already pleaded guilty and received sentences around one year each. Meanwhile, Dennis Lodge and Joshua Taylor are still awaiting their sentences.

This case was investigated by the FBI in Pennsylvania, the U.S. Postal Service, and local police. Harvard University has yet to comment on the situation.