Campus Files: The Harvard Morgue Episode Summary

Introduction In the June 11, 2025 episode of Campus Files, Audacy delves into a harrowing scandal that has rocked one of America's most esteemed institutions—Harvard Medical School. Titled "The Harvard Morgue," the episode unravels the shocking indictment of Cedric Lodge, the morgue manager at Harvard, accused of illicitly selling human body parts from donated cadavers. This detailed investigation not only exposes systemic flaws within medical institutions but also highlights the profound personal toll on the families affected.

Personal Stories: Janine and Paula’s Families The narrative centers around two families, Janine Cunningham and Paula Peltonovich, whose fathers had donated their bodies to Harvard Medical School’s anatomical gift program.

• Janine Cunningham shares her father's dedication to medical science. Her father, Marshall, a nurse and Navy veteran from Newburyport, Massachusetts, had been passionate about contributing to medical research. [03:03] Janine describes Marshall’s commitment: “He thought it was very important that doctors get to know how the human body works and how we could benefit from that.” [05:13]

• Paula Peltonovich recounts her parents’ decision to donate their bodies in 2012. Her father, a deputy sheriff, and her mother, a police officer, aimed to support future medical professionals. [04:33] Paula emphasizes their altruistic motives: “They decided...to donate their bodies to science...they wanted to help the new medical or dental doctors in the future.” [04:45]

Both families believed their fathers' donations would advance medical knowledge, unaware of the impending betrayal.

The Scandal Unfolds On June 14, 2023, the scandal broke when news reports revealed that Cedric Lodge had been stealing and selling human remains from the Harvard morgue. Pay attention to Janine’s reaction: “We saw it on the news first, and then my brother called me...” [17:12]. Paula additionally heard the distressing news while driving: “I heard it on the radio in my car.” [17:29]

Cedric Lodge’s Malfeasance Lodge, who had managed the morgue since 1995, exploited his position to unlawfully sell parts of cadavers. The indictment revealed that he:

• Removed organs and other body parts during the preparation for cremation.
• Invited buyers into the morgue to select specific parts for purchase.
• Conducted transactions through platforms like PayPal, amassing significant sums (e.g., over $30,000 from a Pennsylvania buyer for various parts). [19:05]

The discovery linked Lodge to Cat's Creepy Creations, a store selling dolls made with human remains, further intensifying the horror of his actions.

Legal Analysis: Gaps in the Law Tonya Marsh, a law professor at Wake Forest University, provides critical insights into the legal ambiguities surrounding human remains in the United States.

• Historical Context: Marsh explains that U.S. laws on human remains are outdated, rooted in English common law which did not address such matters. “We have a system of laws that arose because there was a crisis and then there was a response to the crisis,” she states. [09:43]

• Current Legislation: Only a quarter of U.S. states prohibit the buying and selling of human remains, with no overarching federal law. “Human remains are not property in the United States,” Marsh notes, highlighting the resultant legal gray areas. [23:59]

• Implications for the Case: Lodge’s defense leverages these legal loopholes, filing motions to dismiss charges based on the lack of clear laws defining human remains as property. [24:47]

Harvard’s Response and Accountability Harvard Medical School's handling of the scandal has been scrutinized:

• Immediate Actions: Upon learning of Lodge’s indictment, Harvard placed him on leave and subsequently terminated his employment. [25:14]

• Delayed Communication: Families like Janine’s and Paula’s were notified through generic letters after the public was alerted by the media. Janine expresses skepticism: “How can you say that you didn't know what was going on when you had cameras at all the doors...” [25:33]

• Reform Efforts: Harvard claims to be cooperating with the FBI and has engaged outside experts to overhaul the anatomical gift program. However, trust remains severely damaged as affected families continue to seek accountability and systemic change. [26:14]

Emotional and Ethical Impact The scandal has left lasting scars on the families involved:

• Janine Cunningham grapples with the uncertainty of her father’s remains: “We have no idea and we never will. Probably.” [21:02]

• Paula Peltonovich describes her brother’s nightmares and ongoing emotional trauma caused by the potential misuse of her parents' bodies. [20:09]

Both families emphasize the ethical breach and the profound personal loss beyond the physical absence of their loved ones.

Broader Implications and Conclusion "The Harvard Morgue" episode not only sheds light on a specific case of misconduct but also underscores the urgent need for comprehensive legal reforms regarding the treatment and handling of human remains. Tonya Marsh highlights that societal avoidance of death has hindered meaningful legal discourse and policy-making in this crucial area.

Janine expresses a bittersweet hope that her father’s unfortunate posthumous journey might contribute to meaningful changes in medical ethics and legal standards: “I hope, his donation...was achieved...part of a process that actually got changed because the system failed him.” [28:41]

As the criminal proceedings against Cedric Lodge continue and civil lawsuits are filed by affected families, the episode leaves listeners contemplating the sanctity of donated bodies, the responsibilities of medical institutions, and the profound personal repercussions of such ethical violations.

Notable Quotes

• Janine Cunningham [05:13]: “He thought it was very important that doctors get to know how the human body works and how we could benefit from that.”
• Paula Peltonovich [20:17]: “Somebody had my father's head in a jar of formaldehyde on their mantle...nightmares.”
• Tonya Marsh [23:59]: “Human remains are not property in the United States.”
• Janine Cunningham [25:33]: “How can you say that you didn't know what was going on when you had cameras at all the doors...”

Final Thoughts Campus Files masterfully intertwines personal narratives with investigative journalism and legal analysis to present a compelling and unsettling account of the Harvard Morgue scandal. This episode serves as a poignant reminder of the ethical responsibilities inherent in medical practices and the profound impacts when those responsibilities are breached.