Harvard University to pay $53 million settlement in morgue theft lawsuits

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Harvard University agreed to a $53 million settlement to resolve lawsuits involving the theft and sale of human body parts from its medical school morgue between 2018 and 2023. Former morgue manager Cedric Lodge and his wife, Denise, pleaded guilty to charges related to the incident, along with three other individuals who purchased the remains. The university estimated that the remains of 438 donors were affected by the criminal activity. A Suffolk Superior Court judge granted preliminary approval to the settlement, with a final decision expected in December.

Consequences

A court-appointed settlement administrator will oversee the notification of potential class members and the distribution of the $53 million fund over the coming months. Harvard Medical School officials stated that while the legal proceedings are concluding, the institution continues the process of recovering from the incident while maintaining its anatomical education programs.

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