Meet Arthur Rathburn: The Body‑Broker Who Got a Nine‑Year Jail Term
When a Detroit businessman broke the law by selling and leasing freakily‑dead body parts, a 64‑year‑old named Arthur Rathburn ended up with a hefty prison sentence. He’s the latest big name in a nationwide crack‑down on the rogue market for human remains.
Why He Got to Prison
- $13 million earned between 1997‑2013 selling or leasing donated human cadavers to medical schools.
- Freezer fiasco: FBI agents found hosts of body parts frozen together in “flesh‑on‑flesh chunks” at his warehouse.
- Unhealthy deals: At least 120 times, he handed out parts infected with HIV or hepatitis to unsuspecting medical educators.
- Legal Kinks: No law protects the sale of non‑transplant parts, but he was convicted of fraud and violating hazardous shipping regulations.
The Day He Crossed Sisters and Justice
Tracy Smolka, whose father’s head surfaced in a cold‑storage freezer, faced Rathburn in court. “I hope you burn in hell,” she told him. “And when you get there, make sure to tell the devil I sent you.” No mince words.
Rathburn’s “Defensive” Speech
He didn’t testify, but at sentencing he tried to paint himself as a visionary, a “clean, perfect” scientist ahead of his time. “I can understand your point of view, but this was necessary,” he said, showing no remorse. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Neal slammed him: “He’s learned nothing, will commit fraud again, and can talk his way out of anything.”
Who’s Got It All Together?
- Elizabeth Rathburn – Arthur’s ex‑wife, pleaded guilty, got probation.
- Steve Gore – Supplier, ran a large resource center in Phoenix, went down after an FBI raid.
- Federal/State Investigations: The FBI is also probing other body brokers in Illinois, Oregon, Colorado, and has executed warrants in each.
Takeaway
Even without clear federal law covering the sale of dead bodies, the U.S. justice system can still bite hard for fraud and dangerous practices. Arthur Rathburn’s nine‑year sentence is a stark reminder that dealing in human remains—especially when they’re infected—doesn’t just break trust; it breaks the law.
