Pitt students abused corpses in anatomy class, police say
Two University of Pittsburgh students are accused of inappropriately touching corpses in their anatomy class.
Sonel Jimenez, 19, of Albrightsville, Carbon County, and Amay Gupta, 19, of Fremont, Calif., were charged Thursday with abusing a corpse in connection with the incident, which took place at Pitt’s Victoria Hall on Nov. 4.
University of Pittsburgh police said multiple witnesses observed Jimenez inappropriately touching a female cadaver and then joking about it.
Police said classmates also reported that during the same anatomy class Gupta made fun of the male cadaver’s body. He also placed his hand inside the cadaver’s chest and talked about having sex with it, according to the criminal complaint.
Police said Jimenez told investigators that he had been “taught (in the anatomy class) about respecting the bodies and how they are human beings.”
The University of Pittsburgh said in a statement that it “is committed to upholding the dignity of, and respect for, all donors whose selfless acts of giving enhance and enrich education.”
“As soon as the University became aware of the incident, the appropriate offices, including Pitt Police, the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, and Compliance, Investigations and Ethics, were notified,” the university said in a statement. “It was determined that the alleged acts were criminal in nature, and the suspects have been charged.”
Pitt said it was “working with the relevant organizations regarding family notifications.”
When asked about disciplinary action against the students if they’re found guilty, Pitt said the school and law enforcement “are taking appropriate action.”
“While we cannot comment on individual cases, we can say that these alleged actions are in direct contrast to our values and deep respect for the gift made by the decedents and their loved ones,” the statement said.
Jimenez has a preliminary hearing scheduled for Jan. 10, while Gupta is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 17. The charges are misdemeanors.
Justin Vellucci is a TribLive reporter covering crime and public safety in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. A longtime freelance journalist and former reporter for the Asbury Park (N.J.) Press, he worked as a general assignment reporter at the Trib from 2006 to 2009 and returned in 2022. He can be reached at jvellucci@triblive.com.
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