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

Harvard University has reached a $53 million (€45m) settlement following the theft and sale of body parts by its former morgue manager, Cedric Lodge. The settlement was approved by a Boston court, with Lodge sentenced to eight years in prison for his crimes. Lodge and his wife allegedly obtained body parts without permission from the school, donors, or their families, shipping them to buyers across the country since 2018.

Harvard stated that they will seek court permission to establish two class action settlement funds totaling $53 million. In a letter co-signed by Harvard Medical School Dean George Daley and Bernard Chang, they expressed gratitude for working together to prioritize donor families and the organ donation program, avoiding prolonged litigation. They reaffirmed their deep sorrow and empathy for the affected families.

The court granted preliminary approval to the settlement plan, with Harvard estimating the distribution process to take several months. Lodge's wife, Denise, received a one-year prison sentence, and six other co-conspirators who purchased remains from Lodge have also pleaded guilty and received sentences.

As part of the settlement, Harvard Medical School plans to create an annual financial aid scholarship starting in the 2027-28 academic year, honoring all anatomical donors. The school also pledged to provide a statement condemning Lodge's criminal acts and detail improvements to the organ donation program.