US: Harvard agrees $53m settlement over stolen human remains

The proposed settlement follows the conviction of former morgue manager Cedric Lodge, who admitted stealing and selling human remains on the black market.

Lodge, 58, used his position at Harvard Medical School’s Anatomical Gifts Program to take parts from cadavers between 2018 and 2021. He and his wife sold the remains to buyers in Pennsylvania and Massachusetts.

Lodge and six co-conspirators were indicted and pleaded guilty in 2025. He was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment in December, while his wife received a sentence of one year and a day.

Families sued Harvard in 2023, alleging the university had failed to prevent Lodge’s misconduct. The cases were initially dismissed before being revived by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court last year.

Harvard said the settlement funds would be distributed to affected families once approved by the court.

“Lodge’s criminal acts were morally reprehensible and inconsistent with the standards that Harvard University and HMS expect for the treatment of anatomical donors and their loved ones,” Harvard Medical School said.

From the 2027-28 academic year, the medical school will also establish an annual financial-aid scholarship for medical students in honour of anatomical donors.