Compton Family Files Lawsuit Against Funeral Home After Disturbing Mix-Up
A family from Compton, California, is taking legal action against a local funeral home, Harrison-Ross Mortuary, after a shocking incident where they were presented with the wrong body during a viewing for their deceased loved one. The emotional turmoil has left the family reeling, and they are determined to seek justice for what they describe as a catastrophic breach of basic care.
Incident Details
The ordeal began when Amentha Hunt, the niece of the deceased, arranged for her 80-year-old uncle to be prepared for burial at the Harrison-Ross Mortuary following his passing. Upon arriving to pay her respects, Hunt was met with a jarring realization— the body lying in the casket was not her uncle’s.
“It was a guy laying there in my uncle’s suit, but it wasn’t my uncle,” Hunt recounted, visibly shaken. “As I looked at him, I thought, ‘He couldn’t have gotten that dark.'” Despite voicing her concerns about the identity of the body, a mortuary staff member initially dismissed her observations, insisting that the deceased was indeed her uncle.
A Heartbreaking Wait
After presenting a photo of her uncle as proof, a staff member eventually acknowledged the mix-up. “They told us to wait a minute,” Hunt said, explaining that the family had to wait for three hours while the mortuary sorted out the situation. “It was devastating to know that someone else was dressed in his suit.” The family remains uncertain about the identity of the body that was mistakenly showcased.
Legal Actions and Family Responses
In the wake of the distressing events, Hunt’s family decided to file a lawsuit against Harrison-Ross Mortuary. Their attorney, Elvis Tran, emphasized the importance of the case, stating, “For them to come in and see the wrong corpse, and for the mortuary to deny it’s the wrong corpse, demonstrates a failure to uphold standard care protocols. They really need to improve their practices to prevent this from happening to another family.”
As a counter to the legal action, Harrison-Ross Mortuary has denied the allegations and announced plans to issue a cease-and-desist letter to Hunt. The funeral home is striving to protect its reputation amidst increasing scrutiny.
The Emotional Aftermath
This tragic incident has undoubtedly left a lasting stain on the family’s grieving process. Hunt expressed her anguish, stating, “To view the wrong corpse is something I will never forget. It’s really hurting. I still can see that guy in my uncle’s suit.” The emotional impact of this mix-up is likely to linger for a long time, as the family continues to wrestle with their loss in an incredibly challenging way.
Incident Summary
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of Incident | Date of Uncle’s Viewing |
| Family In Involvement | Niece Amentha Hunt |
| Mistaken Body | Another deceased individual dressed in the deceased’s suit |
| Current Status | Lawsuit filed against the funeral home |
This tragic incident underscores the need for rigorous protocols within funeral homes to ensure that families can grieve in peace, without the threat of further trauma during such an already difficult time.
