SAVANNAH — A hospital released the body of an 18-year-old murder victim for cremation even though investigators placed legal holds to preserve it for autopsy.

What’s Happening: Memorial Hospital released J.T. Schroeder’s body to a funeral home where it was cremated, according to the Chatham County Police Department. Both the Chatham County Coroner’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had placed holds on the body so an autopsy could be done after his organ donation.

What’s Important: The autopsy was needed to determine the exact cause of death in the murder case against 48-year-old Delano Middleton, who is charged with stabbing Schroeder to death outside the Whitemarsh Walmart on Highway 80.

Between the Lines: Memorial Hospital acknowledged its staff did not follow pr

See Full Page