Shawn Parcells banned from doing business in Kansas after found guilty of performing illegal autopsies

Attorney General Derek Schmidt stated on Wednesday that a Kansas man Shawn Parcells convicted of conducting unlawful autopsy has been permanently barred from conducting business in the state and compelled to pay more than $700,000 in reparations and fines.

Shawn Parcells, 42, a resident of Topeka and Leawood, was found guilty of three felonies and three misdemeanors in November for performing unlawful autopsies in Wabaunsee County. In connection with the autopsy, he also entered a guilty plea to a federal wire fraud allegation in May.

The crimes in Wabaunsee County happened in 2014 and 2015. His judgment is still pending.

In relation to the private autopsy services provided in Wabaunsee County, the Shawnee County District Court Judge Mary Christopher issued an order compelling Parcells to make compensation in the amount of $254,762 to 82 customers. Additionally, he was ordered to pay the county $49,600 in damages; $400,000 for breaking the laws of the state; and $60,000 in fees associated with the investigation and receivership.

Schmidt initiated legal action against Parcells in 2019, claiming that the self-taught pathology assistant had entered into a contract with Wabaunsee County to perform autopsies but had not carried them out in accordance with state law. Specifically, Schmidt claims that Parcells did not have a licensed pathologist present during the autopsies.

The judge also forbade Parcells and his firms from conducting any kind of business in Kansas that was associated with the human body or from performing any kind of service that was governed as a form of therapeutic art. This included any kind of service that was associated with COVID.

During the course of the investigation, the state seized more than 1,700 biological samples obtained by Parcells. Schmidt stated on Wednesday that the state will shortly conclude its receivership and that families will be contacted when they have 30 days to request the release of the samples.

Prior to entering a plea of guilty in federal court, Parcells faced ten charges of wire fraud. Prosecutors believe that between May 2016 and May 2019, at least 375 people paid him more than $1.1 million for a complete pathological investigation and diagnosis of the cause of death of a family member, but the families never received the complete autopsy results.

The date of his sentencing in this case has been set for September 15.