Savannah, GA – Authorities are raising urgent concerns after investigators confirmed that the body of a Georgia teenager killed in an October stabbing was cremated before undergoing a mandatory autopsy, a mistake the district attorney says could result in felony charges.
J.T. Schroeder, 18, died in late October after he was allegedly stabbed by 48-year-old Delano Middleton inside a Walmart on Whitemarsh Island. Schroeder’s organs were donated after his death, and his remains were then released to a funeral home. The cremation took place even though the body was supposed to be held for a full forensic autopsy as part of the homicide investigation.
What Investigators Say Went Wrong
A spokesperson for the Chatham County Police Department confirmed that once Schroeder’s body was released by Memorial Health University Medical Center, it was transferred to a funeral home and cremated. Officials now say that should never have happened.
According to investigators, a formal hold order had been placed on the teen’s remains by both the Chatham County Coroner’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. That hold was meant to ensure an autopsy occurred before any release to a funeral home.
During a court hearing connected to Middleton’s case, attorneys revealed for the first time that the required autopsy never occurred because the body was cremated beforehand, eliminating key evidence in a murder prosecution.
District Attorney Calls the Mistake Preventable
Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones issued a sharply worded public statement confirming the failure and making clear the incident was far more than a misunderstanding.
She stated,
“The release of J.T. Schroeder’s body was not a ‘miscommunication.’ It was oversight, failure and professional negligence. The order from the [Georgia Bureau of Investigation], Lifeline, and the coroner all indicated the body was to be held as is the case for all murder victims in the state of Georgia. This is a serious failure so egregious; it is hard to believe it was not intentional.”
Jones also noted that Schroeder’s remains constituted evidence in a criminal trial, adding that the person or people responsible for the premature release could face felony charges. She did not specify which charges are being considered.
Hospital Responds to Outrage
A spokesperson for Memorial Health University Medical Center released a statement acknowledging concerns about how the teen’s remains were handled.
The hospital said,
“The loss of a loved one is never easy, and we have processes in place to ensure proper handling of the deceased in our care. In the event these processes are not followed, we review our training and documentation with staff and work closely with external agencies to prevent similar issues.”
Officials have not yet said whether any hospital employees have been disciplined or placed on leave as the review continues.
Background on the Walmart Stabbing Case
Schroeder died on October 27, days after the alleged attack. Prosecutors say Middleton stabbed the teen after claiming Schroeder kicked his shopping cart inside the store.
Court records show Middleton had previously pleaded guilty to a stabbing in 2021 and was on probation at the time of this incident. He is now charged with murder and remains held without bond at the Chatham County Detention Center.
What Happens Next
The district attorney’s office, the coroner, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Memorial Health are all conducting internal reviews to determine how the hold order was overridden. The cremation of a homicide victim before an autopsy is considered a critical breach in evidence handling, raising questions about potential impacts on the prosecution.
Authorities say additional announcements could come once the investigation into the procedural failure is complete.
If you live in the Savannah or Chatham County area and have insight into this case or past handling procedures at local facilities, share your experiences in the comments below.
