A couple was arrested in Arkansas and Pennsylvania after they were allegedly found with stolen human remains. The couple, Candace Chapman Scott and Jeremy Pauley were arrested on charges of theft and trafficking of human remains.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Arkansas, Scott worked as a funeral director at a mortuary in Little Rock, Arkansas. Pauley is a tattoo artist who lives in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania.
The investigation began in 2021 when the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine contacted the FBI after they discovered that several human skulls had been stolen from their facility. The skulls were reportedly used for teaching purposes.
The FBI eventually traced the skulls to Scott, who allegedly sold them to Pauley. Pauley then allegedly resold the skulls to other people.
In addition to the skulls, Scott and Pauley are also accused of stealing the remains of two stillborn babies from the mortuary where Scott worked. The babies’ remains were reportedly supposed to be cremated and returned to their families.
Scott and Pauley are both being held in federal custody. They are scheduled to appear in court on June 27, 2023.
This case is a reminder of the importance of respecting human remains. It is also a reminder that the theft and trafficking of human remains is a serious crime. If you have any information about this case, please contact the FBI.
