Mortuary employee faces felony charges for abusing corpses and faking death certificates

In the United States, specifically in Austin, Texas, an employee of a local mortuary faces serious legal allegations. Adeline Ngan-Binh Bui, age 50, has been charged with multiple felonies, including state-jail felony abuse of a corpse and second-degree felony tampering with governmental records. The implications of these charges date back to at least August 2022, as investigations revealed Bui's alleged misconduct involved experimenting on corpses and fraudulently obtaining death certificates. These procedures reportedly included injecting formaldehyde into severed limbs to observe physiological changes over time, raising ethical concerns regarding how human remains should be treated post-mortem. An investigation commenced following reports from a former embalmer at Capital Mortuary Services, who claimed Bui had obtained at least ten death certificates under his name without consent. Such actions are strictly regulated by law, and the unauthorized handling of identity for a funeral service purpose further exacerbated the situation. Documentation indicated that Bui had utilized electronic signatures to sign these illicit certificates, leading the Texas Funeral Services Commission (TFSC) to intervene and investigate the implications of the management at Capital Mortuary Services. Upon receiving critical evidence from the former employee, the TFSC mandated a cease-and-desist order on April 10 due to the funeral home failing to meet essential building, health, and safety codes. The violations prompted law enforcement involvement, with the Austin Police Department receiving copies of the fraudulent death certificates for further investigation. Bui also allegedly communicated about her fraudulent activities with a former employee, sending screenshots that illuminated her intentions and practices. In response to her arrest, Bui's legal representation emphasized the complexities of the case, asserting their commitment to defending her under the premise of fairness and due process within the criminal justice system. While the court records state a bond of $27,500 was set following her turning herself into authorities on April 18, significant concerns linger about the ethics and legality surrounding her actions as a mortuary employee. Consequently, the funeral home, Capital Mortuary Services, has been rendered closed due to these serious allegations affecting its operations and reputation.