iradiophilly | News - Philly Mayor Kenney says Partial Remains from MOVE Victims Have Been Found, Not Destroyed

Streaming Radio for Philadelphia
More Music. Fewer Interruptions. Just what you want to hear.

FOLLOW:

News
Talk about what's in the news


The Post

Philly Mayor Kenney says Partial Remains from MOVE Victims Have Been Found, Not Destroyed

by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 05/14/21 11:04 pm | updated: 05/14/21 11:04 pm

Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced on Friday night, 5/14, that the partial human remains of victims from the 1985 MOVE bombing investigation, previously believed to have been destroyed, have now been found. In 2017, former Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley ordered the cremation and disposal of those remains without notifying the family. Farley was forced to resign yesterday, 5/13, because of that decision. A box labeled 'MOVE' was located in the Medical Examiner's Office on Friday containing the partial bone fragments that were thought to have been disposed of 4 years ago. The remains will be returned to the Africa family. The city had hired the Dechert LLP law firm to investigate the incident.

Statement from Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney:

"Late this afternoon, Medical Examiner's Office (MEO) staff notified the Managing Director's Office that a box labeled MOVE was located in a refrigerated area at their office. After comparing the contents of the box to an inventory of bone specimens and fragments from 2017, they appear to be the remains thought to have been cremated four years ago.

"Members of the Africa family were at the Medical Examiner's Office this afternoon to review documents pertaining to the bombing. I personally informed them that the box had been located and its contents were described to them by the Interim Medical Examiner. MEO officials also answered questions asked by the family and representatives. Once the investigation is complete, the City will return the remains to the victims' family in accordance with their wishes.

"I am relieved that these remains were found and not destroyed, however I am also very sorry for the needless pain that this ordeal has caused the Africa family. There are many unanswered questions including why the remains were not cremated as Dr. Farley directed. There are also clearly many areas for improvement in procedures used by the Medical Examiner's Office.

"The investigation of this incident and the handling of the remains of all victims of the 1985 MOVE bombing will continue. I pledge full transparency to the family of the victims and I hope that this latest discovery can give them some level of solace."

SEE ALSO: Health Comm. Dr. Thomas Farley Resigns

Tonight, I provided an update on the handling of MOVE bombing victims' remains.

My full statement: https://t.co/HaJtBVPUor
â€” Jim #VaxUpPhilly Kenney (@PhillyMayor) May 15, 2021

TOP STORIES

(0) responses

Welcome to iradiophilly! Philadelphia's Internet Radio Community

Welcome! Start listening now for FREE! The music is always on, so choose a radio station and click to listen. You can find fun Events around Philly and you can list yours on our Events page FREE. We will also promote cool Philly shows, events and fundraisers on the air FREE. There are also great opportunities to become a sponsor or advertise. iRadioPhilly supports the Philadelphia music and arts scene. If you are a local musician or performer, send us your stuff. We will play it on our BYO radio station, Philadelphia's Local Stage. We're designing the radio stations and iradiophilly to reflect Philadelphia's music tastes, so we'll want your input. We're glad you're here. Invite your friends.

FOLLOW:

Site Design by Bananaland | Built by quadpain media