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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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14

Cemetery Workers Dug Up Bodies, Resold Graves

Illinois cemetery employees excavated graves, dumped remains for cash

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(Newser) – Four employees of a historic Chicago-area cemetery face charges after police uncovered a gruesome scheme to excavate graves, remove the human remains, and resell the plots, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. One manager and three grave diggers at Burr Oak Cemetery are charged with dismembering a human body, which carries of a sentence of 6 to 30 years. Cook County police estimate the quartet dug up about 300 graves and made hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Under the alleged scheme, they would arrange the sale of a new burial, excavate an existing grave, dump the remains in a mass grave on the outskirts of the cemetery, and pocket the money. Others may be charged. “There should be really a special place in hell for these graveyard thieves," the Rev. Jesse Jackson said.

In this photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office is Carolyn Towns, 49, of Chicago.
In this photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office is Carolyn Towns, 49, of Chicago.   (AP Photo/Cook County Sheriff's Office)
This photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Maurice Dailey, 61, of Robbins, Ill. Dailey was one of four people charged Thursday, July 9, 2009.
This photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Maurice Dailey, 61, of Robbins, Ill. Dailey was one of four people charged Thursday, July 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Cook County Sheriff's Office)
This photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Keith Nicks, 45, of Chicago. Nicks was one of four people charged Thursday, July 9, 2009.
This photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Keith Nicks, 45, of Chicago. Nicks was one of four people charged Thursday, July 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Cook County Sheriff's Office)
This photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Terrence Nicks, 39, of Chicago. Nicks is one of four people charged Thursday, July 9, 2009.
This photo released by the Cook County Sheriff's Office shows Terrence Nicks, 39, of Chicago. Nicks is one of four people charged Thursday, July 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/Cook County Sheriff's Office)
Family members search for the graves of relatives at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Ill., Thursday, July 9, 2009=.
Family members search for the graves of relatives at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Ill., Thursday, July 9, 2009=.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
A man prays over graves at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Ill., Thursday, July 9, 2009.
A man prays over graves at Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Ill., Thursday, July 9, 2009.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart explains the gruesome scheme police uncovered as Aslip, Illinois' Burr Oak Cemetery.   (CNN Video)
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart explains the gruesome scheme police uncovered at Alsip, Illinois' Burr Oak Cemetery.   (CNN Video)
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart explains the gruesome scheme police uncovered as Aslip, Illinois' Burr Oak Cemetery.   (CNN Video)

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14 comments
VIEWING:
 
JonmarkP
Jul 9, 09 4:52 PM CDT
Wow, a recycling scam - cool! Did they make enough money to be considered honored and influential members of the community, like the Wall Street scam artists? Reply
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+2
NewserHound
Jul 9, 09 5:15 PM CDT
In a few years these guys will be Senators and the Governor of Illinois. Just watch. Reply
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
Reader64481089
Jul 9, 09 5:21 PM CDT
Probably, they exhibit the qualifications required.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Retribution
Jul 9, 09 5:48 PM CDT
""In a few years these guys will be Senators and the Governor of Illinois. Just watch."" Or maybe run for President in 2012......
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
kokuaguy
Jul 9, 09 8:13 PM CDT
Sure, the Republicans are desperate for candidates.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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