Court Rules Harvard Liable Over Theft of Human Remains From Morgue

Harvard University is facing mounting legal challenges after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that families can sue over the theft and sale of human remains from its medical school morgue.

The case centers on Cedric Lodge, the former manager of Harvard Medical School’s Anatomical Gift Program, who stole and sold body parts — including heads, brains, and skin — intended for teaching and research between 2018 and 2023.

Chief Justice Scott Kafker described the crimes as a “macabre scheme spanning several years,” emphasizing that Harvard failed in its legal duty to ensure the dignified treatment of donated human remains.

Families of the victims allege that the university ignored security warnings and violated professional guidelines. Lodge has since pleaded guilty to federal charges of interstate transport of stolen human remains and faces up to 10 years in prison.

Harvard, which called Lodge’s actions “morally reprehensible,” now faces 12 lawsuits from 47 family members seeking accountability for what they say was gross negligence in safeguarding the bodies of loved ones donated for science.