In a case that defies imagination and underscores the existence of a dark underworld, a former funeral home worker from Arkansas has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for her role in the illegal sale and transportation of human body parts. This case, spanning from Arkansas to Massachusetts, has implicated multiple individuals and even dragged prestigious institutions like Harvard Medical School into the spotlight.
The Main Perpetrator: Candace Chapman Scott
Candace Chapman Scott, a funeral home worker from Little Rock, Arkansas, found herself at the center of this grotesque operation. Scott worked at a mortuary contracted by the University of Arkansas Medical School to cremate cadavers used for medical research. Instead of fulfilling her duties, Scott stole various body parts, including skulls, dissected faces, internal organs, and even whole stillborn corpses, and sold them to buyers across state lines.
Court documents revealed Scott’s shocking admissions. She began her illegal activities in October 2021, reaching out to a Pennsylvania man named Jeremy Pauley via Facebook. Scott introduced herself as a mortician and offered embalmed brains and other body parts for sale. Over time, the pair exchanged countless messages, with Scott sending photos of organs and fetuses to Pauley. Payment for these illicit transactions, which often involved PayPal, ranged from a few hundred dollars to thousands.
Baby Lux: A Heartbreaking Case
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching part of this case involved the remains of a stillborn baby named Lux. Lux’s parents, like many others, entrusted the funeral home with their child’s cremation. However, Scott stole Lux’s body and sold it to Pauley for $300. Pauley, in turn, traded Lux’s remains to another individual for five human skulls and $1,500. At Scott’s sentencing, Lux’s mother shared a poignant statement, expressing her devastation upon learning her baby’s body had been treated like an Amazon package. The betrayal shattered the trust the family had placed in the funeral home.
Jeremy Pauley: The Collector of Oddities
Jeremy Pauley, a self-proclaimed “collector of oddities” from Pennsylvania, was a key figure in this illegal operation. Pauley admitted to purchasing numerous body parts from Scott, which he described as “wet specimens,” and displayed them in his shop. He referred to himself as a “blood artist” and claimed to specialize in preserving retired medical specimens.
Despite pleading guilty to abuse of a corpse in state court, Pauley faces federal charges that could result in a sentence of up to 15 years in prison. Prosecutors are hopeful that Pauley’s early cooperation will lead to reduced sentencing while exposing others involved in this dark trade.
Harvard Medical School’s Involvement
The case also unearthed disturbing revelations involving Harvard Medical School. Federal prosecutors revealed that Cedric Lodge, a worker at Harvard’s morgue, and his wife were part of a larger ring trafficking body parts. The Lodges have already pleaded guilty, further implicating several individuals across the United States.
The Black Market for Human Remains
This case has shed light on a deeply unsettling black market for human body parts. Experts speculate that the demand comes from a niche group of collectors and individuals with perverse interests in human remains. While medical institutions often rely on donated cadavers for education and research, this black market preys on the trust of families who believe their loved ones’ remains are being handled respectfully.
What makes this case even more shocking is how openly the transactions were conducted. Scott and Pauley used Facebook Messenger and PayPal for their dealings, seemingly unaware—or unconcerned—about the digital trail they were leaving behind. Such brazen activity raises questions about how widespread this illegal trade might be.
A Call for Broader Investigation
Former federal prosecutor Jean Rossi, commenting on the case, emphasized its unprecedented nature and expressed hope that Scott and Pauley’s cooperation will lead to further arrests. Rossi compared this black market to other criminal enterprises, such as human trafficking, noting that what has been uncovered is likely only the “tip of the iceberg.”
The case also highlights the need for stricter oversight of funeral homes, morgues, and medical schools to prevent such egregious violations of trust. Families grieving the loss of loved ones deserve to know that their remains are treated with dignity and respect.
The Aftermath
While Candace Scott has been held accountable, the case leaves behind a trail of devastation for the families involved. Baby Lux’s family, in particular, continues to grapple with the horrifying reality of their loss. Federal prosecutors have vowed to pursue justice for all the victims and ensure those complicit in this dark trade are brought to justice.
As investigations continue, this case serves as a grim reminder of the lengths some will go to exploit human life—even in death—for profit. It also underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in industries entrusted with handling the deceased.
