HOUSTON – A Texas family claimed that the Harris County Medical Examiner mistakenly released the body of their deceased relative to a man who falsely claimed to be the man's son.
"He does not have a son. This man was someone he knew. Someone who wanted him to be buried in the Muslim tradition within 24 hours is what we think," Noel Cotton, a cousin of the dead man said.
The dead man in question was hailed as a hero just two days earlier. Abdullah Shakur, 65, of Nacogdoches, was shot and killed Wednesday during a robbery at a North Houston stereo store.
At Ben Taub General Hospital, a man presented himself as the son, and later filled out legal paperwork, claiming the kinship.
In accordance with that legal document, the Harris County Institute of Forensics Sciences released Shakur's body to the man through the Islamic Society of Greater Houston Funeral Home.
"We received the name of the man claiming to be the son from Ben Taub General Hospital and also received legal paperwork," Tricia Bentley, spokesperson for the Harris County Institute for Forensic Sciences, said.
It is unclear whether the person who claimed to be Shakur's son could or would be charged with a crime.
But on Friday, an attorney stepped in on behalf of Shakur's family and halted the funeral and burial plans.
By Friday afternoon, the body was en route to Nacogdoches.
The matter may not be settled yet. The family, through an attorney, indicated they may pursue legal action against some of the parties involved.