Because there is a great backlog, the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has transformed a parking garage into a temporary morgue.
Reports indicate that more than 200 bodies have yet to have an autopsy performed on them. That number is still rising.
Because of the backlog, funerals, criminal investigations, and indictments have been delayed. Victor Weedn, the chief medical examiner, said that the backlog may reach 300 before the month is over.
The parking garage that was transformed is located in downtown Baltimore. It was created because the Maryland Department of Health was running out of room. They are responsible for looking into violent crimes and suspicious deaths. This also involves deaths “unattended by a physician.”
“The bodies are piling up and decaying right in front of everyone’s eyes,” stated one elected official. “.. that’s not the way to treat those that have lost their lives and families who are looking for closure.”
The department stated reasons such as a rise in drug overdoses, deaths due to COVID-19, and shooting fatalities have contributed to the problem. They also say that five medical examiners have retired or quit in the last two years. Soon, three more are planning to retire.
The federal government has been called to send its disaster mortuary response team to Maryland. They have medical examiners and forensic specialists who are capable of dealing with large deaths.
