Table of Contents
- Shocking Delivery Mistake in Kentucky
- Coroner Steps In After 911 Call
- Where Did the Body Parts Come From?
- What to Do If You Receive Human Remains by Mistake
- Sources
Shocking Delivery Mistake in Kentucky
A routine delivery turned into a nightmare for a Kentucky woman this week when she opened what she thought was a package of time-sensitive medication—only to find two human arms and four human fingers packed on ice.
The incident occurred Wednesday in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, about 73 miles northwest of Nashville. The woman, whose identity has not been released, immediately dialed 911 after the gruesome discovery.
Coroner Steps In After 911 Call
Christian County Coroner Scott Daniel responded personally to the scene. “She did the right thing,” Daniel told reporters. “There’s no need to refrigerate the parts or do anything extreme—just call 911 or your local nonemergency dispatch line.”
Daniel transported the remains to the local morgue, where a courier retrieved them the following morning. The woman eventually received her correct medical shipment a day later.
Where Did the Body Parts Come From?
According to Coroner Daniel, the package originated in Nashville and was intended for a hospital or medical school in the city for use in surgical training. The limbs and digits came from four separate cadavers—likely donated for medical education purposes.
“I didn’t ask,” Daniel said when questioned about the source. “I’d assume they came from cadavers that had been donated.”
The courier company responsible for the mix-up has not been identified, and officials have declined to release further logistical details.
What to Do If You Receive Human Remains by Mistake
While extremely rare, misdelivered biological specimens do happen—especially in regions near major medical or research institutions. Authorities emphasize:
- Do not touch the contents unnecessarily.
- Do not attempt to repackage or dispose of the items.
- Call 911 or your local nonemergency line immediately.
- Keep the package intact until authorities arrive.
Coroner Daniel reassured the public that such deliveries are typically part of legitimate medical training programs and pose no public health risk if handled properly.
Why This Mix-Up Happened
Though the exact cause remains under internal review by the unnamed courier, experts suggest that labeling errors or routing system glitches may have rerouted the package to a residential address instead of its intended medical facility.
Public Reaction
Local residents expressed shock and concern over the incident. “You never expect something like this at your front door,” said one neighbor who asked to remain anonymous. “It’s terrifying.”
Sources
The New York Times – Kentucky Woman Receives Package of Human Body Parts
