Police say a quiet Denton burial ground turned into a crime scene after human remains were discovered missing from a damaged mausoleum, and a Bartonville man is now in custody in connection with the case. Investigators believe the remains were taken from the historic IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Cemetery in Denton, and officials say the deceased person’s next of kin have been notified. Local and federal agencies are now working the case together as the criminal investigation moves forward.
What investigators say
According to The Dallas Morning News, Bartonville officers arrested 41-year-old Michael Chadwick Fry on a charge of abuse of a corpse after a search of the IOOF Cemetery turned up a damaged mausoleum and confirmed that remains were missing. The Denton Police Department is assisting the Bartonville Police Department alongside the FBI’s Dallas field office as authorities track down leads. Officials have not said how the remains were removed, and they have not indicated whether more arrests or additional charges are on the table.
Rare but disturbing pattern
Crimes involving stolen human remains are uncommon in Texas, yet similar cases elsewhere have grabbed national attention. In January, investigators in Pennsylvania uncovered more than 100 pieces of human skeletal remains after arresting a suspect linked to months of mausoleum break-ins at Mount Moriah Cemetery, according to CBS Philadelphia. That investigation set off renewed calls for tighter security at older cemeteries that do not see much regular patrol.
About IOOF Cemetery
The IOOF Cemetery in Denton dates back to the 1860s and serves as the final resting place for thousands of people, including early settlers and veterans. The site has drawn attention in recent years not only for its aging monuments but also for a 1933 deed that contained a racially restrictive clause the city formally condemned in 2016, according to reporting by KERA News. The clause no longer has legal force, but it has continued to raise questions about the cemetery’s history and upkeep.
Legal note
Under Texas law, disturbing or trafficking in human remains falls under the offense commonly referred to as abuse of a corpse. In most situations, that offense is charged as a state jail felony, while vandalizing an interment space is treated as a Class A misdemeanor under the Texas Penal Code. The full legal definitions and penalty ranges are available in the Texas Penal Code.
Next steps
The investigation is still active, and authorities have not released further information about the incident or the condition of any recovered remains, according to The Dallas Morning News. Detectives with Bartonville police, Denton police, and the FBI continue to pursue leads, and officials have not said whether they anticipate filing additional charges.
