Randall Bird, 46, faces five counts of crimes against a dead person, according to the Phoenix Police Department. The charges, classified as class 4 felonies, carry a significant potential prison sentence.
The disturbing incident unfolded on October 24th when police received a call about "suspected misconduct involving a man" at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. Upon arriving at the hospital, investigators launched a thorough investigation that ultimately led to Bird's arrest on November 28th.
According to police reports, Bird worked as a security guard at the hospital, with his duties including transporting deceased individuals to a freezer in the morgue.
Video surveillance footage obtained by law enforcement reportedly captured the arrival of the septuagenarian woman's body at the hospital on October 22nd. Bird was allegedly the security guard assigned to transport the body to the morgue that day.
Court documents cited by local media outlets indicate that two witnesses reported finding the door to the morgue locked from the inside, an unusual occurrence. The witnesses further described seeing a light inside of a freezer and the freezer door slightly ajar.
Peering through the crack in the freezer door, the witnesses allegedly observed Bird sweating profusely and exhibiting signs of extreme nervousness. The defendant had reportedly removed his duty belt and was seen with his zipper down. His uniform was described as disheveled.
Investigators also allege that the body bag containing the deceased woman's remains was unzipped, the victim's corpse was positioned face down, and Bird's belt was placed atop the gurney.
When confronted by the witnesses, Bird allegedly attempted to cover the woman's body and offered an implausible explanation for his behavior. The defendant claimed that he had experienced a medical episode and fainted, causing him to fall onto the body bag, inadvertently ripping it open and breaking the zipper in the process.
However, the witnesses disputed Bird's account, asserting that neither the body bag nor the zipper was damaged.
A subsequent investigation by law enforcement revealed that the woman's body exhibited signs of trauma and tested positive for Bird's DNA, which was collected on October 25th. Bird maintained that he fainted in the morgue but had no recollection of what transpired afterward.
In response to the incident, Banner Health issued a statement expressing their dismay and disgust at the alleged actions of their former employee.
"We are saddened and appalled by the alleged actions of an individual at Banner–University Medical Center Phoenix that resulted in his arrest on November 28, 2023," the statement reads.
Banner Health emphasized their commitment to upholding high standards of conduct and treating all individuals with compassion, dignity, and respect.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is currently handling the prosecution of this case.
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