Austin Mortuary Director Charged with Abuse of Corpse and Tampering with Government Records
Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, a 50-year-old funeral director at Capital Mortuary Services (CMS) in Austin, Texas, has been charged with Abuse of Corpse Without Legal Authority and Tampering with Government Records. The charges stem from allegations of conducting unauthorized experiments on corpses and falsifying death certificates.
The Charges and Arrest
According to court records, Bui was booked into the Travis County Jail on April 18 and released the following day. The charges against her include Abuse of Corpse Without Legal Authority, classified as a state jail felony, and Tampering with Government Records, a second-degree felony. These charges are serious and carry significant legal consequences if convicted.
The Investigation and Allegations
The investigation into Bui’s activities began when a former embalmer for CMS filed a complaint with the Texas Funeral Services Commission (TFSC) in March. The embalmer alleged that Bui had fraudulently initiated and obtained at least 10 death certificates under his name and license number without his consent. This allegation led to a broader investigation into CMS’s practices.
The investigation uncovered disturbing details. Bui was accused of conducting experiments on severed body parts, including arms, by injecting embalming fluid and observing the effects over time. The embalmer provided documentation, including photos, of these experiments to the TFSC. These actions were carried out without proper authorization, raising ethical and legal concerns.
Legal and Ethical Implications
The revelations have sparked outrage and raised questions about the oversight of mortuary practices. The TFSC investigator noted that CMS, under Bui’s direction, was operating beyond its licensed scope by using corpses for unauthorized research. This is a violation of Texas law, which prohibits commercial embalming establishments from using human remains for research or educational purposes without proper authorization.
Furthermore, the falsification of government records is a serious offense. Bui allegedly used a former employee’s identity to submit death certificates and amendments, which allowed her to continue operating her business unlawfully. This not only undermines the integrity of state records but also betrays the trust placed in funeral directors by grieving families.
‘Experiments’ and Their Scope
Bui admitted to conducting the experiments during an interview with Austin Police Department (APD) officers. She confirmed that she had directed employees to perform these experiments, which involved cutting heads, arms, and spines from remains. Bui claimed that up to 15 bodies were experimented on, reportedly with the permission of a company called Med2Market.
However, the CEO of Med2Market denied any involvement in experimental testing, stating that their agreement with CMS was limited to transportation and cremation services. While he acknowledged knowing about the embalming of arms for preservation purposes, he denied any knowledge of dissections or unauthorized experiments.
Household Power Tools and Decomposition Observations
The affidavits also revealed that household power tools were used on the bodies at CMS. Bui confirmed this during her interview with APD, adding another layer of seriousness to the allegations. The use of such tools in a mortuary setting is highly irregular and raises questions about the professional standards at CMS.
Photos provided by the embalmer showed the progression of decomposition on the severed arms over time. These images were reportedly shared by Bui herself on a work computer, further implicating her in the unauthorized activities. After finishing with the body parts, Bui allegedly allowed them to be cremated, destroying potential evidence and raising questions about the handling of remains at CMS.
Legal Ramifications and Court Appearance
Bui’s actions have left her facing serious legal consequences. The charges against her could result in significant prison time if she is convicted. Her next court appearance is scheduled for May 9, where she will face the charges brought against her.
Public and industry Reaction
The news of Bui’s arrest has sent shockwaves through the funeral industry and the local community. Many are left wondering how such abuses could occur under the radar. The case highlights the need for tighter regulations and oversight in the mortuary industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Conclusion
The case of Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and ethical practices in the funeral industry. The allegations against her are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions about the handling of human remains. As the legal process unfolds, one can only hope that justice is served and measures are put in place to prevent such abuses from happening again.