2LT International News

DENVER, Colorado: Former Colorado funeral home owner Megan Hess was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison last week for dissecting 560 corpses and selling body parts without permission of the relatives of the dead.

Hess, 46, who pleaded guilty to fraud in July, operated a funeral home in Sunset Mesa, Colorado, as well as a body parts company, named Donor Services.

The 20-year prison term received by Hess was the maximum allowed under law.

Shirley Koch, Hess’ 69-year-old mother, also pleaded guilty to fraud and was sentenced to 15 years for dissecting bodies.

In a court filing, prosecutor Tim Neff, said, “Hess and Koch used their funeral home at times to essentially steal bodies and body parts using fraudulent and forged donor forms. Hess and Koch’s conduct caused immense emotional pain for the families and next of kin.”

The federal case was triggered by a 2016-2018 Reuters investigative series about the sale of body parts in the US.

Reuters reported that Hess and Koch conducted unauthorized dismemberments of bodies. After a 2018 story was published, the FBI raided the business.

In their filing, prosecutors stressed the “macabre nature” of Hess’ crime, describing it as one of the most significant body parts cases in recent US history.

During this week’s sentencing in Grand Junction, Colorado, U.S. District Judge Christine M. Arguello said, “This is the most emotionally draining case I have ever experienced on the bench.”

The sale of organs, such as hearts, kidneys and tendons, for transplant is illegal in the US, but selling body parts, such as heads, arms and spines for use in research or education is not regulated by federal law.