A Kentucky man has been arrested by the FBI for allegedly selling stolen human skulls and other body parts on Facebook. James Nott, a resident of Mount Washington, Kentucky, used the profile name “William Burke” to advertise the illegal trade. The FBI discovered Nott’s activities during their investigation into a network of body parts traders connected to the Harvard Medical School. Nott’s arrest sheds light on a disturbing underground market for human remains.
According to federal court filings, Nott, 40, was actively selling human skulls as recently as June. He shipped his products to customers across the country, with the exception of Tennessee, Georgia, and Louisiana. One of the skulls he advertised had an “autopsy cut” and was missing a slice from the top. To conceal his activities, Nott used a pseudonym and sent untraceable voice messages through Facebook. However, he received payments for the human remains through a PayPal account under his real name.
When the FBI executed a search warrant at Nott’s apartment, they found him alone. When asked if anyone else was inside, he chillingly replied, “Only my dead friends.” The agents discovered approximately 40 human skulls, along with spinal cords, femurs, and hip bones. The skulls were even used as decorations around the furniture, with one wrapped in a headscarf and another found in Nott’s bed. The search also uncovered a Harvard Medical School bag, two rifles, a revolver, bomb-making materials, and numerous loaded AK-47 and .308 magazines.
Nott, a convicted felon, has been charged with possession of a firearm by a prohibited person. It remains unclear if he will face additional charges. In a related case, Jeremy Pauley, another suspect in the Harvard body parts plot, allegedly purchased body parts from Nott after buying cadavers from the medical school. Facebook conversations obtained by the FBI reveal discussions between Pauley and Nott regarding the purchase of skulls and other body parts.
The Harvard Medical School has condemned the conspiracy as an “abhorrent betrayal” and fired Cedric Lodge, the former morgue manager, in May. Lodge and other suspects involved in the ring were charged with interstate transport of stolen goods and conspiracy last month. The school expressed deep remorse for the pain caused to the families and loved ones of the anatomical donors.