Harvard to pay $53 million after morgue manager sold body parts

Harvard University has settled a case for $53 million following the theft and sale of body parts by its former morgue manager, Cedric Lodge. Lodge, who managed the morgue at Harvard Medical School before his termination in 2023, was sentenced to eight years in prison for trafficking stolen remains. The settlement, approved by a court on Tuesday, aims to support families affected by the incident and the ongoing organ donation program.

Lodge's wife, Denise, was also sentenced to one year in prison, and six other individuals involved in the scheme have pleaded guilty and received sentences. The university plans to establish two class action settlement funds and distribute the funds over several months. Additionally, Harvard will set up an annual scholarship in honor of all anatomical donors and issue a statement condemning Lodge's criminal acts while detailing improvements to the organ donation program.