Two Madison County women are suing St. Clair County, alleging emotional distress after finding body parts of their loved one at the scene of the accident.
Karissa McPherson and Candice Holland filed a lawsuit on Oct. 14 in Madison County Circuit Court against St. Clair County, alleging intentional infliction of emotional distress.
McPherson is the sister of the deceased, Jared McPherson, while Candice Holland is his fiancee. He was killed in an automobile accident on Aug. 8.
According to the complaint, the family of the deceased contacted the St. Clair County Coroner's Department Aug. 11 to determine the exact location of the accident so they could place a memorial there. When they arrived at the location, the suit alleges, the plaintiffs found a portion of a skull and hand, believing them to have come from the deceased.
The father of Jared McPherson contacted the coroner about the body parts, the lawsuit states, and the deputy coroner recovered the body parts and took them to the funeral home. Once again the plaintiffs visited the scene of the accident, the suit states, and say they found additional bones, once again believed to be those of the deceased.
McPherson and Holland seek at least $50,000. They are represented by attorneys Edward W. Unsell and Janel L. Freeman of East Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 15-L-1329.