Unlicensed Mass. mortician busted
Unlicensed Mass. mortician busted
BOSTON (AP) — An unlicensed funeral director accused of stealing more than $12,000 from an elderly couple could face more charges after authorities found 12 bodies and the cremated remains of more than 40 others in two self-storage units he rented, authorities said Friday.
Joseph O’Donnell, 55, of Boston, was being held on $10,000 bail in a larceny case when investigators found the cremated remains Wednesday at a Somerville self-storage business. On Thursday, they found 12 sets of human remains at a similar business in Weymouth.
Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley said no foul play is suspected and investigators were working to identify the remains.
Conley’s spokesman, Jake Wark, said no charges have been sought against O’Donnell in the discovery of the human remains, but authorities are conducting a criminal investigation. O’Donnell’s funeral director’s license lapsed in 2008.
His attorney, Paul Tomasetti, did not immediately return a call seeking comment. A message was left at his office.
O’Donnell was charged with larceny in April.