Ashes

by James Joseph

Tells the story of the Sconce family, a prominent Pasadena clan who ran a chain of mortuaries that allegedly sold the body parts, the gold dental fixtures, and the vital organs of the bodies in their keeping.

Genres: True Crime

256 pages, Hardcover

First published December 2, 1993

Reviews

[Karin A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Horrific crimes of the Sconce family of Pasadena who desecrated corpses for monetary gain. No conscience. Sold body parts, gold from their teeth and even their clothes, then comingled ashes at cremation. The many people involved makes it more horrifying. Murder was also committed to stop crematory competition.

[Danny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A ghoulishly fascinating (and terrifying) tale of abuses within the mortuary industry. It occasionally reads awkwardly.