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2h ago

Massachusetts High Court Revives Families’ Lawsuits Against Harvard Over Morgue Body-Parts Theft

The court said the families plausibly alleged Harvard failed to act in good faith under the state’s anatomical gift law.

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A flag hangs on campus at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S., September 4, 2025. REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton/File Photo
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Pedestrians walk towards the Harvard Medical School, Aug. 18, 2022, in Boston. Jeremy Pauley has pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from the theft and sale of human body parts taken from Harvard Medical School and an Arkansas mortuary, Friday, Sept. 8, 2023.

Overview

  • The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court unanimously reversed a lower court’s dismissal, reviving 12 consolidated suits by 47 relatives and allowing discovery to proceed.
  • Claims may move forward against Harvard and Anatomical Gift Program director Mark F. Cicchetti, while lawsuits against manager Tracey Fay were ended.
  • Justice Scott Kafker wrote that alleged pervasive supervision and security lapses could demonstrate a lack of good faith required for immunity under the Uniform Anatomical Gift Act.
  • The opinion detailed transactions tied to the scheme, noting purchases of dissected faces and 39 PayPal payments totaling about $37,000.
  • Former morgue manager Cedric Lodge pleaded guilty in May to interstate transport of stolen human remains for a scheme running from 2018 to 2023 and is awaiting sentencing, and Harvard called his actions abhorrent.