Harvard Medical School has agreed to pay $53 million to settle class action lawsuits filed by relatives of body donors whose remains were illegally sold on the black market.
According to the Associated Press, the lawsuits were brought by 47 family members of donors who had entrusted their loved ones’ bodies to Harvard’s Anatomical Gift Program for medical research and education.
The settlement comes after former Harvard Medical School morgue manager Cedric Hodge was convicted in connection with a scheme involving the theft and sale of donated human remains.
Former Morgue Manager Sentenced to Prison
In 2023, Hodge was convicted of stealing donated remains and selling them on the black market rather than ensuring they were used for their intended educational and scientific purposes. He was sentenced to eight years in federal prison.
His wife, Denise Hodge, was also sentenced to one year in prison after being convicted for assisting in the scheme. Six other individuals who purchased the stolen remains also received prison sentences.
In a letter issued by Harvard Medical School Deans George Q. Daley and Bernard S. Chang, the university condemned Hodge’s actions and acknowledged the impact they had on the affected families.
Harvard Says It Cannot Identify Every Affected Donor
Harvard stated that it has been unable to determine exactly which donors’ remains were stolen and sold.
As part of the settlement agreement, the university also agreed to issue a formal statement condemning Hodge’s conduct and outlining improvements made to its Anatomical Gift Program to strengthen oversight and prevent similar misconduct in the future.