Former Harvard Morgue Head Pleads Guilty to Selling Stolen Body Parts

A former Harvard Medical School morgue manager has pleaded guilty to federal charges after admitting to stealing and selling human remains from the institution’s anatomical gift program.

Cedric Lodge, 57, of Goffstown, New Hampshire, entered his plea on Wednesday in U.S. District Court before Chief Judge Matthew W. Brann in the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

As Fox News reported, Lodge pleaded guilty to one count of interstate transport of stolen human remains, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a term of supervised release, and a monetary fine.

‘Grim Reaper’ — Former Harvard Medical School Morgue Manager Pleads Guilty to Trafficking Stolen Body Parts https://t.co/66ZPF0ay9p

— Steve Ferguson (@lsferguson) May 23, 2025

Trump’s Sovereign Wealth Fund: What Could It Mean For Your Money?

According to prosecutors, Lodge participated in the scheme from 2018 through at least March 2020, during which time he removed organs, brains, skin, hands, dissected heads, and other human remains from cadavers that had been donated to Harvard Medical School for medical research and education.

The remains were taken from the school’s morgue in Massachusetts without the knowledge or consent of the school, the donors, or their families.

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

Lodge brought the stolen remains to his home in New Hampshire, where he and his wife arranged for their sale and transport to buyers in multiple states, including Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.

The cadavers were part of Harvard’s Anatomical Gift Program, which relies on donated bodies to support medical education and scientific research. The program is governed by agreements that stipulate the proper use and respectful disposal of remains.

Harvard Medical School Dean George Daley responded to the plea in a written statement, calling Lodge’s conduct “morally reprehensible” and “a disgraceful betrayal of the individuals who altruistically chose to will their bodies” to advance science and education.

Harvard’s News Cycle Just Got Worse As Medical School Morgue Director Pleads Guilty to Disgusting Crime https://t.co/ZESN6fXQ7M A former Harvard Medical School morgue manager recently entered a plea in relation to an alleged scheme to steal and sell donated body parts.

— AtomBob (@atombob357) May 23, 2025

“While Lodge has agreed to plead guilty and taken responsibility for his crimes, this likely provides little consolation to the families impacted,” Daley said. “We continue to express our deep compassion to all those affected.”

Several individuals connected to the scheme have also pleaded guilty and received prison sentences of approximately one year. Others, including Denise Lodge and Joshua Taylor, are awaiting sentencing.

The case was investigated by the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the East Pennsboro Township Police Department in Pennsylvania. Harvard University declined to provide additional comment.

Connect with Vetted Off-Duty Cops to Instantly Fulfill Your Security Needs

The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LifeZette. Contact us for guidelines on submitting your own commentary.