Harvard Cadaver Settlement
Harvard to pay $53 million to settle lawsuits over cadaver trafficking scandal
Key Points
Lodge stole and transported specific cadaver parts—heads, faces, brains, skin and hands—from Harvard's morgue and took them to his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire to sell across state lines.
Investigators said buyers included Jeremy Pauley, who admitted to buying remains that included stillborn babies and other Harvard cadaver parts from 2018 to 2022; Pauley was sentenced to six years in prison (2025). Additional buyers Andrew Ensanian and Joshua Taylor also admitted to purchasing body parts.
In October, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court revived the donor-family lawsuits, ruling plaintiffs had sufficient claims that Harvard failed to act in good faith in safeguarding donated remains.
Remains were transported from Harvard to buyers in multiple states, including locations in Salem, Massachusetts; New Hampshire; and Pennsylvania.
Denise Lodge, Cedric Lodge's wife, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for her role in the scheme.
Harvard University has agreed to pay $53 million to settle lawsuits from families whose donated bodies were stolen and sold on the black market, according to Detroit News. The scandal centers on Cedric Lodge, the former manager of Harvard Medical School's morgue, who stole heads, faces, brains, skin, and hands — then sold them to buyers across multiple states.
Lodge was sentenced to eight years in prison. A Suffolk Superior Court judge granted preliminary approval of the settlement, with final approval expected in December, Daily Voice reported.
How a Morgue Manager Built a Black Market in Body Parts
Lodge ran the theft operation from 2018 through at least 2020. He took stolen remains from Harvard's morgue to his home in Goffstown, New Hampshire. From there, he sold body parts to buyers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania, according to Detroit News.
One key buyer was Jeremy Pauley. He admitted to buying remains — including stillborn babies — from Lodge between 2018 and 2022. Pauley was sentenced to six years in prison in 2025. Two other buyers, Andrew Ensanian and Joshua Taylor, also admitted to purchasing stolen body parts.
Massachusetts Court Revived Lawsuits Harvard Tried to Block
Harvard had pushed back against the families' claims. But in October, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled the plaintiffs had enough evidence to proceed. The court found families had sufficient claims that Harvard failed to act in good faith to protect donated remains, Daily Voice reported.
That ruling was a turning point. It allowed negligence-related suits to move forward and put real legal pressure on Harvard. The $53 million settlement covers claims tied to Lodge and to other individuals who bought or transferred stolen remains.
Lodge's Wife Also Sentenced as Part of the Scheme
Cedric Lodge did not act alone. His wife, Denise Lodge, played a role in the scheme and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. Her involvement shows the operation extended beyond the morgue itself and into the family's personal life.
Harvard Must Hold Webinar, Fund Scholarships Under Deal
The settlement requires more than money. Harvard Medical School must hold a live webinar reaffirming that Lodge's conduct was, in the school's own words, morally reprehensible. The school must also summarize the changes it has made to its Anatomical Gift Program, according to Detroit News.
Harvard will also create an annual financial aid scholarship for medical students. The fund will honor anatomical donors and is set to launch in the 2027-28 academic year. Final court approval of the full settlement is expected in December.
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