Member-only story
They Shipped the Wrong Body
He Died. His Organs Were Harvested. His Family Never Saw Him Again.
Jose Carlos Gonzalez was a long haul truck driver. He drove long hours to support his family in Chula Vista California. That’s why, when he fell ill and passed away, he was over 1,350 miles from home.
He died alone in Grapevine, Texas in March 20th, 2020. He left a widow, Cecilia, behind, along with a large extended family and many friends.
They hadn’t been with him when he died. But at least they hoped to say their final farewell at the funeral.
They never got to say that last good-bye to their loved one, however. His organs were harvested and he was cremated before they could.
Jose Carlos’ body was supposed to be sent to the Chula Vista Funeral Home. The family planned an open casket funeral. It would be a chance for the grieving widow and the other mourners to see him one last time. It would have provided comfort in a time of great grief.
Instead, the mourners got a shock. They walked into the funeral home, they found that another body was in Jose Carlos’ place.
Arrangements had been made for Jose Carlos’ body to be embalmed in Texas before sending to California. As Catholics, it was important to the Gonzalez family that the body…
