Politics and Money

[dropdeadfred]

More than 200 bodies are awaiting autopsies by doctors at Maryland's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the agency located in downtown Baltimore responsible for investigating deaths statewide. The unprecedented backlog is growing by the day and filling up the morgue refrigerators. Local funeral directors say it's also worsening the anguish for grieving families, some of whom have been forced to postpone funerals and missed the chance to say goodbye to a loved one.

The backlog snowballed from 50 bodies awaiting autopsy in late December to 150 bodies in late January. State officials estimate the number will exceed 300 bodies this month. They blame office turnover and the coronavirus pandemic that's kept employees sick at home. Staff shortages come amid increasing numbers of murders and drug overdoses, cases that require autopsies.

https://www.thebaltimorebanner.com/families-distraught-baltimore-parking-garage-turned-morgue-as-200-bodies-await-autopsy