A former Alabama mortuary employee was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally selling human body parts (Image: Pexels) 
MedBound Blog

US Former Mortuary Worker Sentenced to 15 Years for Selling Human Body Parts Online

A shocking crime exposing the trafficking of human remains

Dr. Disha Merlyn Mathias

In a shocking crime Candace Chapman Scott, a 37-year-old woman, an ex-mortuary worker from Alabama was recently sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally selling human body parts, including fetal tissue to Jeremy Lee Pauley, 42, a self-proclaimed “oddities collector” from Pennsylvania. 

Disturbing Crime Scene:

The two criminals met through a Facebook group that “openly discussed the sale of body parts”, according to Jonathan D. Ross, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. 

Spanning from October 2021 to July 2022, Scott illegally sold human remains from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Anatomical Gift Program to Pauley, who paid her $10,625 for 24 boxes of body parts containing a skull, brain, arm, ear, several lungs, hearts, breasts, a belly button, testicles, and more

The horrific crime was described by the FBI as “truly incomprehensible and detestable”. (Representational Image: Pexels)

The FBI investigators found several body parts from Scott’s home and her connection to a case involving Harvard Medical School, admitted her crime during questioning. Upon further investigation, they discovered that Scott even misled grieving families by ensuring them their loved one’s remains had been cremated. Still, in reality, they were being trafficked in an underground network. 

I am haunted by the thought of my son being sent around in the mail like an Amazon package.
Mother of the victimized child

During Scott’s sentencing, Judge Brian S. Miller described her crime as “some of the worst” he had ever seen and sentenced her to 15 years in prison. Also, the judge apologized to the grieving families. 

FBI and our partners will continue to work tirelessly to ensure justice is served for all.
Alicia D. Corder, FBI Special Agent in Charge of Little Rock

Pauley, who purchased the remains from Scott pleaded guilty to conspiracy and interstate trafficking of human body parts. He stays out on bond and is awaiting sentencing in Pennsylvania.

Reference:

1. Yaron, Peter. "Mortuary Worker Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Selling Body Parts Online to Sicko Covered in Face Tattoos and Piercings." New York Post, January 19, 2025. https://nypost.com/2025/01/19/us-news/mmortuary-worker-sentenced-to-15-years-in-prison-for-selling-body-parts-online-to-sicko-covered-in-face-tattoos-and-piercings/

(Input from various media sources)

(Rehash/Dr Disha Merlyn Mathias/MSM)

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