Former HMS Morgue Manager Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison for Selling Human Remains

Former Harvard Medical School morgue manager Cedric Lodge was sentenced to eight years in prison for the interstate sale and transport of human body parts donated for scientific research, capping a case that prosecutors described as “unusually heinous.”

From 2018 until at least March 2020, Lodge stole body parts — including organs, brains, and faces — from donated cadavers that had already been used for teaching and research, but had not yet been disposed of. He transported the remains to his house in New Hampshire and sold them for a profit to buyers in states including Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

Lodge also sold other stolen property from HMS, such as “specimen cases bearing an ‘HMS’ logo,” according to sentencing documents.

Prosecutors had sought the maximum 10-year sentence, arguing in a Dec. 9 sentencing memorandum that the crime’s severity stemmed not only from its scope, but also from Lodge’s abuse of trust.

“He abused a position of trust. He undermined the confidence that individuals have in choosing to donate their bodies for medical training and scientific research. He caused deep emotional harm to an untold number of family members left to wonder about the mistreatment of their loved ones’ bodies,” prosecutors wrote.

An HMS spokesperson wrote in a statement that the sentencing affirmed the “abhorrent” nature of the crimes that were “inconsistent” with Harvard’s values.

Lodge’s wife, Denise Lodge, was sentenced to just over one year in prison for assisting in the sale and transport of the remains after pleading guilty to the charges in April 2024.

The Lodges were indicted in 2023, and Cedric Lodge was subsequently fired from HMS. He initially pleaded not guilty to conspiring to sell body parts with co-defendants, but later pleaded guilty in May to illegally transporting stolen human remains.

Denise Lodge pleaded guilty in February 2024. In a separate sentencing document on Dec. 9, prosecutors sought a non-custodial sentence for her — which does not include jail time — citing her “genuine remorse” and battle with Stage IV breast cancer.

“As their income dwindled and Denise’s medical needs increased, Cedric came up with a plan to sell human remains. Denise initially refused,” prosecutors wrote. “He persisted, and she simply did not have the strength — while battling metastatic cancer, multiple other illnesses, and the overwhelming fear of financial ruin — to stand up to him.”

Other defendants connected to the scheme have also been sentenced. Matthew Lampi and Angelo Pereyra received 15- and 18-month prison terms, respectively, in January. Joshua Taylor has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Several of the Lodges’ buyers have yet to be sentenced. Massachusetts resident Katrina Maclean, who purchased human remains from the couple with the intent to resell them, pleaded guilty on Dec. 8.

Pennsylvania buyer Joshua Taylor similarly pleaded guilty in May to the interstate transport of stolen goods. Both Taylor and Maclean face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, along with additional fines.