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How a language clue triggered the suspicions of funeral parlour staff who stumbled upon three visitors ‘cutting man’s body’ – after they told workers to get out for ‘cultural reasons’
Three visitors to a funeral parlour in Browns Plains, near Brisbane, were arrested after staff allegedly found them trying to remove tissue from an elderly man’s body. The incident has prompted shock at the family-run business, whose owner said she had never encountered anything like it in 30 years.
The visitors, identified as Brian Wong, 47, Changmin Koo, 38, and Cassandra Hunter, 43, had arrived for an arranged viewing carrying backpacks. Staff became suspicious when one visitor asked to be left alone for “cultural practices” and an employee reportedly heard Koo speaking Korean, rather than Mandarin, which Wong’s family spoke. Police allege the group brought scissors, scalpels and blades; all three were charged with misconduct with a corpse and related offences, and were remanded in custody after making no bail application.
In short
- Funeral home staff interrupted an alleged attempt to remove tissue from a body.
- Police say the three visitors brought scissors, scalpels and blades.
- All three were charged and remanded in custody.
Explained simply
Funeral parlours care for people who have died and arrange viewings for family and friends. Staff usually follow agreed procedures to protect the dignity of the person and give relatives a private, respectful setting.
In this case, police allege three visitors tried to remove tissue from an elderly man’s body during a viewing at a family-run parlour near Brisbane. Staff became concerned after being asked to leave and hearing a language that did not match what they understood about the family; police say the visitors had brought cutting tools.
The three visitors have been charged with offences including misconduct with a corpse. The allegations have not been proved in court. The case has raised questions about how funeral businesses respond when a viewing does not follow the arrangements they expected.