Family Sues After Man's Head Found in Shed

abc ^ | 12/27/03

[knak]

Children Sue Medical Center After Learning Dad's Embalmed Head Was in Tool Shed for 11 Years

The Associated Press

SACRAMENTO, Calif. Dec. 27 — The children of a cancer patient who donated his body for research filed a lawsuit after learning their father's embalmed head was kept in a tool shed for nearly 11 years.

The head of Osie K. Whitten, who died Dec. 24, 1990, of colon cancer, was among 150 pounds of human cadaver parts allegedly removed from the medical center at the University of California, Davis, by a former autopsy assistant.

David Lawrence Beale, who worked for Pathology Support Services Inc., which managed the medical center's morgue and autopsy service, was arrested last summer after the remains were found among his belongings.

He pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving stolen property and possession of methamphetamines. Police say Beale told them he used the remains to hone his dissection skills.

The medical center, Beale and Pathology Support Services were named in the lawsuit filed by Whitten's children.

The medical center said it could not comment; it previously said it had changed the way human remains are handled. Pathology Support Services said Beale's activities were not part of his job.

[cajun-jack]

it wasn't a funeralhome, it was a creamatorium?? the guy was getting paid to cremate bodies but instead was sending back urns with cement dust and other stuff in them.

not sure of the final outcome.

[going hot]

you have a happy new year, take care.

[martin_fierro]

While Osie did lie there in state
his corpse his kin did donate;
It's too bad his head
wound up in a shed --
A horrible fate for a pate!

[martin_fierro]

Alas, poor Osie! I knew him, Lazzy, a fellow of infinite jest, of most excellent fancy...

[Lockbar]

You are correct Jack, now as I remember, it was a crematorium. Still a weird story. Its a prime example of one of those stories that makes front page news for 5-6 days, and than completely disappears off the radar screen.

[HairOfTheDog]

Jedem Tierchen Sein Plasierchen.

Si hoc legere scis, nimis eruditionis habes.

:~D

[patton]

Happy new year.

[DefCon]

Hasn't gone to trial yet. Lawyers arguing venue.

[patton]

Gracias Deus veneris est.

[HairOfTheDog]

Sentio aliquos togatos contra me conspirare.

[patton]

yes, they are. I am wearing a toga now.

[HairOfTheDog]

~gulp~

[patton]

Non calor sed umor est qui nobis incommodat.

[patton]

Animadvertistine, ubicumque stes, fumum recta in faciem ferri?

[SLB]

There is a book, I forget the title, on what can happen with a human body after death. The author, a female, describes in detail some of the actions that are taken to a corpse. One incident I remember is her attending a convention of plastic surgeons. She was invited to see them practice a new procedure on facial surgery. She walked into the room and there were 40 heads in disposable aluminum roasting pans. Now every time I see the pans in the store I have to chuckle at the many uses they have.

[mollynme]

I don't see what the big deal is. He donated his body for research. It's not like he had any more use for it! LOL

[HairOfTheDog]

Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus ventosissimis exponebantur ad necem.

Heh....

[patton]

you are one sick puppy

[HairOfTheDog]

Have a nice Sunday!

Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo!

That one is harder!

[patton]

I am stumped.