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The Los Angeles County coroner’s office mistakenly cremated a 26-year-old man after confusing his remains with those of another man with the same name, authorities said Friday.

Jorge Hernandez, whose family says he was mistakenly cremated by the L.A. County coroner's office. (Credit: Attorney Luis Carrilllo)
Jorge Hernandez, whose family says he was mistakenly cremated by the L.A. County coroner’s office. (Credit: Attorney Luis Carrilllo)

Coroner’s officials said the mistake occurred because a technician failed to check the case number on the man’s body, and they apologized to the family.

Jorge Hernandez died of a drug overdose Oct. 7 after being taken to Glendale Adventist Medical Center. His body was picked up by the coroner’s office to determine a cause. The family began planning a funeral and private viewing for Hernandez until coroner’s officials called them to say they mistakenly cremated his body.

Armand Montiel, a coroner’s office spokesman, said the mistake happened because two men named Jorge Hernandez were at the morgue. The other Hernandez was indigent and was scheduled to be cremated.

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