Thieves steal Ohio hearse, dump corpse, leave note

[May 14, 2010]  CLEVELAND (AP) -- A corpse was taken for a ride in Cleveland, then dumped by thieves who stole a crematory's hearse and abandoned it with a note telling police where to find the body.

Police on Wednesday found the woman's body, in a bag and on a gurney, at the intersection specified in the note.

Computer equipment also was taken from the crematory during Wednesday's break-in. Sgt. Sammy Morris says police are investigating whether the hearse was stolen to haul the gear away. No arrests have been made.

Funeral director Jim Murphy says the corpse was unharmed. It was scheduled to be cremated Wednesday.

The Greenfield Crematory has apologized to the family. It says it was not unusual for the body to have been left in its vehicle, which was locked inside the building.

[Associated Press]

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