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.
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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