The daughter of a man whose remains were allegedly part of a body part trafficking scheme at Harvard Medical School has expressed her disgust and anguish over the unthinkable crime. Paula Peltonovich's father, Nicholas Pichowicz, willed his body to the institution upon his death in 2019 at the age of 87. Peltonovich learned of the alleged scheme involving the morgue manager and others when news of the indictments broke.

Overwhelmed with nausea and horror, Peltonovich contacted Harvard for confirmation, and according to her, the school confirmed her father was a victim. However, Harvard Medical School clarified to Fox News Digital that while her father is a potential victim, nothing has been officially confirmed yet. The situation has left Peltonovich and her family deeply disturbed and struggling to find words to express their feelings.

The alleged trafficking ring involved former morgue manager Cedric Lodge, his wife Denise Lodge, and alleged accomplices Katrina Maclean, Joshua Taylor, and Jeremy Pauley. Authorities suspect Lodge stole organs and other body parts from donated cadavers between 2018 and 2022, sometimes taking them to his New Hampshire residence. The indictment details the gruesome nature of the alleged thefts, including heads, brains, skin, bones, and even faces. In one instance, Lodge allegedly sold two dissected faces to Maclean for $600.

Lodge was fired from his position on May 6. The indictment further reveals that some of the body parts were shipped to buyers through the U.S. Postal Service. Harvard Medical School released a statement acknowledging the "abhorrent betrayal" and expressing their deepest apologies to the families of the anatomical donors.

Adding to the family's pain, Peltonovich's mother's body was also donated to Harvard Medical School in March. Now, the family is trying to retrieve her remains, hoping to bury her rather than have her cremated by the institution.