Funeral home placed wrong body in casket at viewing: Lawsuit
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Otis Adkinson (Harrison-Ross Mortuary). Background: Harrison-Ross Mortuary in Compton, California. (Google Maps).

Arriving early at the California funeral home for her uncle’s viewing, Amentha Hunt looked at the casket and instantly recognized that the man inside was not her loved one.

She approached a staff member who allegedly insisted that the correct corpse was in the coffin. It was only after she presented a picture of her uncle that the staff reportedly acknowledged their error. Now, the family is suing the funeral home, Harrison-Ross Mortuary in Compton.

More from Law&Crime: ‘Dressed the wrong body’: Grieving woman horrified to learn that funeral for her grandmother had a stranger in the casket, lawsuit says

According to the lawsuit obtained by Law&Crime, 80-year-old Otis Adkinson died on Feb. 28, leaving behind his wife of 56 years. Following his death, the family entered into a contract with Harrison-Ross and bought a suit for the funeral home to use for the viewing.

The plaintiffs “trusted” that Adkinson would be “treated with the highest professional standards and principles” required by law, the lawsuit said. His viewing was set for April 7. At least until Hunt realized the mistake, according to the lawsuit.

“The family was extremely distraught leading to confusing, emotional distress, and arguments amongst the family about why the wrong corpse was at the viewing,” plaintiff lawyers wrote.

Love true crime? Sign up for our newsletter, The Law&Crime Docket, to get the latest real-life crime stories delivered right to your inbox. 

That distress was furthered when staff members at the funeral home “doubled down” on their assertion that the right body was inside. They allegedly changed their tune after Hunt showed them a photo of Adkinson.

“Defendant then took the corpse to another facility, apparently took the designated suit off the corpse, and switched it to decedent’s body,” the suit reads. “This entire exchange took several hours and by the time that defendant brought decedent’s body back to the viewing there was little to no time left for any viewing.”

While the funeral home did not immediately return a message from Law&Crime seeking comment, it denied the claims in the lawsuit to CBS Los Angeles affiliate KCAL. The funeral home reportedly said it is working on a cease-and-desist letter to Hunt and her family.

Adkinson’s funeral went on as scheduled on April 8. He wore the same suit that was on the wrong corpse, per the plaintiffs.

The family has “suffered tremendously from the defendants’ shameful conduct.” They are suing for negligence, breach of contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Judge Halts Trump Administration’s Attempt to Close Job Corps

President Donald Trump during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.,…

Police Helicopter Captures Man Allegedly Climbing Roof to Avoid Arrest Following Stolen Car Pursuit

Police video has been released of a man allegedly scaling a roof…

Gun Traffickers Mistakenly Involved in Home Invasion Convicted

Background: Bernadette Gaudio and her son Andrew Gaudio (GoFundMe). Insets, left to…

Florida Man Loses Temper After Fishing Line Breaks, Assaults Wife, and Attempts to Abandon Her 30 Miles Out in the Gulf

A Florida man has been charged with attempted murder and domestic battery…

QAnon Shaman Criticizes ‘Fraud’ Trump in Intense Speech

Background: Jacob Chansley at the U.S. Capitol, January 6, 2021 (Saul Loeb/AFP…

Partial Remains of Disabled Boy Discovered in Bags After Boyfriend Fakes Kidnapping Report

A 7-year-old Ohio boy who was found dead earlier this month was…

Probationed sex offender faces 25 charges for involvement in child pornography

Staff report ARCHER, Fla. – Brandon Michael McClurg, 33, from Archer, a…

“Cult Mom Lori Vallow Daybell Receives Sentence for Conspiracy in Deaths of Fourth Husband and Niece’s Former Spouse”

Lori Vallow Daybell, often referred to as the “cult mom,” received two…

Man Accused of Killing Wife and Another Man Over Suspected Infidelity, Says Police

Background: The 200 block of Meeks Road in Henry County, Virginia (Google…

Mother Cleared of Munchausen Accusations: Legal Team

Jessica Gasser (provided). A Texas woman, previously accused of subjecting her 3-year-old…

Moroccan Man Allegedly Made 297 Aggressive Calls to Police

A Moroccan national being held in a WA immigration detention centre has…

New South Wales Politician Found Guilty of Sexually Assaulting Two Men

A NSW state MP has been found guilty of sexually abusing two…