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Parents of deceased marine Brian LaLoup sue Greeks | Parents of deceased marine Brian LaLoup sue Greeks |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The parents of a dead US Marine whose body was returned from Greece missing its heart are suing the US Department of Defense and the Greek government. | The parents of a dead US Marine whose body was returned from Greece missing its heart are suing the US Department of Defense and the Greek government. |
Craig and Beverly LaLoup say they experienced emotional distress when Sgt Brian LaLoup was "illegally autopsied" overseas. | |
Sgt LaLoup is believed to have killed himself at the US embassy in Athens in August 2012. | Sgt LaLoup is believed to have killed himself at the US embassy in Athens in August 2012. |
The Greek embassy in Washington said his heart was removed for testing. | The Greek embassy in Washington said his heart was removed for testing. |
According to the complaint filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Sgt LaLoup, 21, attended a party at the US embassy in Athens on 12 August 2012 and told a fellow marine he was contemplating taking his own life. | According to the complaint filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Sgt LaLoup, 21, attended a party at the US embassy in Athens on 12 August 2012 and told a fellow marine he was contemplating taking his own life. |
His comments were later reported to a supervisor who, the LaLoups claim, offered Sgt LaLoup drinks instead of offering proper medical treatment under military protocol. | His comments were later reported to a supervisor who, the LaLoups claim, offered Sgt LaLoup drinks instead of offering proper medical treatment under military protocol. |
Wrong heart sent | Wrong heart sent |
Once intoxicated, Sgt LaLoup was allowed access to the embassy's weapons room, where he shot himself in the head, the parents say. | Once intoxicated, Sgt LaLoup was allowed access to the embassy's weapons room, where he shot himself in the head, the parents say. |
His body was transported to a local hospital and left unattended, where it underwent a post-mortem and his heart was removed by Greek medical staff, the complaint alleges. | His body was transported to a local hospital and left unattended, where it underwent a post-mortem and his heart was removed by Greek medical staff, the complaint alleges. |
The heart was later found to be missing during a second autopsy by US military officials in Dover, Delaware, on 22 August 2012, the complaint adds. | The heart was later found to be missing during a second autopsy by US military officials in Dover, Delaware, on 22 August 2012, the complaint adds. |
The LaLoups say they were not informed their son's heart was missing until two weeks after he was buried in the US. | The LaLoups say they were not informed their son's heart was missing until two weeks after he was buried in the US. |
They also say they were later given a heart that was not his. | They also say they were later given a heart that was not his. |
"This is his heart. This is his soul. This is what made Brian who he is," Ms LaLoup told the Associated Press news agency. | "This is his heart. This is his soul. This is what made Brian who he is," Ms LaLoup told the Associated Press news agency. |
The LaLoup family is seeking damages for emotional distress, rather than wrongful death for which the US government is typically immune. | The LaLoup family is seeking damages for emotional distress, rather than wrongful death for which the US government is typically immune. |
A spokesman for the Greek embassy in Washington DC said Sgt LaLoup's heart was withheld for toxicology tests, the AP reported. | A spokesman for the Greek embassy in Washington DC said Sgt LaLoup's heart was withheld for toxicology tests, the AP reported. |
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