Body Parts Delivered to Michigan Home
Sunday, March 4, 2007 6:08 AM EST
The Associated Press
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Two packages containing human body parts — including a liver and part of a head — meant for a medical research lab instead were delivered to a home.
The body parts, sent from China, were mistakenly dropped off Thursday at Franck and Ludivine Larmande's home by a DHL express driver who believed the bubble-wrapped items were pieces to a table.
"My husband started to unwrap one and said, 'This is strange, it looks like a liver,'" Ludivine Larmande said. "He started the second one, but stopped as soon as we saw the ear.
"Something wasn't right. It was scary, and I'm glad I didn't open them."
The couple called Kent County sheriff's deputies, who determined the preserved body parts were for medical research, Lt. Roger Parent said.
Authorities believe 28 more bubble-wrapped human organs and body parts could be dispersed across the country, The Grand Rapids Press reported. Two of five packages headed to the northern Michigan lab broke open, scattering their contents.
"There will definitely be a shock to people if they see these things, but there is no hazard to health," Parent said.
DHL is investigating whether it should have shipped the body parts and how the packages were dispersed, spokesman Robert Mints said.
Sunday, March 4, 2007 6:08 AM EST
The Associated Press
CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) — Two packages containing human body parts — including a liver and part of a head — meant for a medical research lab instead were delivered to a home.
The body parts, sent from China, were mistakenly dropped off Thursday at Franck and Ludivine Larmande's home by a DHL express driver who believed the bubble-wrapped items were pieces to a table.
"My husband started to unwrap one and said, 'This is strange, it looks like a liver,'" Ludivine Larmande said. "He started the second one, but stopped as soon as we saw the ear.
"Something wasn't right. It was scary, and I'm glad I didn't open them."
The couple called Kent County sheriff's deputies, who determined the preserved body parts were for medical research, Lt. Roger Parent said.
Authorities believe 28 more bubble-wrapped human organs and body parts could be dispersed across the country, The Grand Rapids Press reported. Two of five packages headed to the northern Michigan lab broke open, scattering their contents.
"There will definitely be a shock to people if they see these things, but there is no hazard to health," Parent said.
DHL is investigating whether it should have shipped the body parts and how the packages were dispersed, spokesman Robert Mints said.