'Highly probable' one of two Irish fentanyl overdose victims was wrongfully cremated
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The Department of Foreign Affairs is offering assistance to the families of two Irish men who died in Florida, with a report in the US suggesting their remains were “mislabelled”, leading to the “highly probable” cremation of the wrong body.
Dubliners Luke Comiskey, of Rathfarnham, and Kane Mitchell, of Ballycullen, died in April 2022, with a medical examiner determining both died as a result of a fentanyl overdose.
The two friends had shared an apartment in Pinellas Park near Tampa and were discovered dead there on April 23, 2022.
reported on Friday that their remains were repatriated to Ireland where one was cremated and the other was not.
However, after their families discovered discrepancies in their autopsy reports, it was discovered that an error had been made in labelling their remains.
It was found that Mr Comiskey, rather than Mr Mitchell, had been cremated while Mr Mitchell had been buried in the Comiskey family’s plot.
Letters obtained by show one from William Pellan, director of investigations at the District Six Medical Examiner Office, writing to the Irish consulate in Atlanta on the matter.
“Our office is very remorseful about the tragedy of this situation,” wrote Mr Pellan.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is “aware of the case” and is providing consular assistance to the families involved.
“As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases,” a spokesperson said.
In a statement issued last month, the Pinellas Park Police Department said it had arrested and charged 33-year-old James Peoples III, believed to have sold the fentanyl, with two counts of first-degree murder.
Pinellas Park police chief Adam Geissenberger said: “The devastating consequences of fentanyl abuse are clear in this heartbreaking incident.
“Our agency and city stand unwavering in its commitment to tackle the scourge of fentanyl overdoses head-on. We will pursue justice relentlessly and continue our efforts to safeguard our community from the perils of this deadly substance.”
The next court hearing in the case is due on March 18.