'I've never seen anything like it': Cop on coffin swap claim
A DIRECTOR of a funeral business could face a stint in jail or a fine if found guilty of switching a dead body into a different coffin before cremation, police say.
Speaking at a press conference this morning, Rockhampton CIB Detective Sergeant Craig Strohfeldt said police would put "a lot of resources" into its fraud investigation.
READ: Police investigating shocking Rockhampton 'coffin switch' claim.
The family of Janice Cecilia Valigura made a complaint to police on Monday that her body was switched from a $1700 coffin to a $70 pine box shortly after her funeral.
The family claims Hart Family Funerals has since told them this was "commonplace". The owner of the funeral service, Tony Hart, yesterday refused to comment to media.
Det Sgt Strohfeldt said the investigation had begun and in his time he'd never seen "a case of this nature".
"It's quite unusual," Det Sgt Strohfeldt said.
"It's only been alleged at this stage but if investigations do prove that an offence has been committed it is a shocking thing.
"It a serious matter and we're putting a lot of resources into the investigation."
He said investigations could take weeks.
*After an investigation, police cleared Mr Hart and Harts Family Funerals of legal wrongdoing and said they would not be laying charges.
