Pakistan, Aug. 21 -- Harvard University has agreed to pay $53 million to settle lawsuits over stolen donated human remains. The settlement involves 47 families. Their loved ones had donated their bodies for medical research. A Massachusetts judge recently granted preliminary approval for the settlement. The cases involve remains that may have been mishandled between 2018 and 2023. Families accused Harvard of failing to protect donated remains. The university will also issue a statement condemning the theft.

Former Harvard Medical School morgue manager Cedric Lodge carried out the theft, according to prosecutors. Lodge worked at the medical school morgue for nearly 30 years. He stole organs, brains, skin, hands, and faces from donated bod...