Georgia Teen’s Body Was Cremated Before Required Autopsy in Walmart Stabbing Case, Prompting Outrage and Possible Felony Charges

SAVANNAH, GEORGIA — Authorities are investigating how the body of an 18-year-old Georgia homicide victim was cremated before undergoing a mandatory autopsy, a mistake the district attorney described as an “egregious” failure that may result in felony charges. The teen, J.T. Schroeder, died in late October after being stabbed at a Walmart on Whitemarsh Island.

Teen Stabbed After Encounter at Walmart; Body Released Despite Autopsy Hold

Investigators say Schroeder died on October 27 after allegedly being stabbed by 48-year-old Delano Middleton during an altercation at a Walmart store.
Authorities say Middleton attacked the teen after claiming Schroeder kicked his shopping cart.

Schroeder’s organs were donated, and his body was then released by the hospital to a funeral home — even though both the Chatham County Coroner’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) had placed a hold order requiring his remains to be kept for a full autopsy as part of the homicide investigation.

Instead, Schroeder’s body was cremated, making a forensic autopsy impossible.

Officials say the error was discovered during a court hearing for Middleton, who is charged with murder and remains held without bond.

District Attorney Calls Cremation ‘Not a Miscommunication,’ but a Serious Professional Failure

Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones sharply condemned the incident, saying multiple agencies made it clear that the teen’s body should not have been released.

In a public statement, she wrote:

“The release of J.T. Schroeder’s body was not a miscommunication. It was oversight, failure, and professional negligence. The order from the GBI, Lifeline, and the coroner all indicated the body was to be held. This is a serious failure so egregious; it is hard to believe it was not intentional.”

Cook Jones said Schroeder’s remains were evidence in a criminal trial, and those responsible for releasing the body may face felony charges.
She did not specify which charges could apply but confirmed the matter is under active review.

Hospital Responds as Officials Review Procedures

Memorial Health, the hospital that treated Schroeder before his death, issued a statement acknowledging the mistake and pledging internal review.

The statement read in part:

“We have processes in place to ensure proper handling of the deceased in our care. When these processes are not followed, we review training and documentation with staff and work with external agencies to prevent similar issues.”

Authorities have not revealed who authorized the release of the remains or how the autopsy hold was overlooked.

Suspect Has Prior Violent History and Was on Probation at Time of Stabbing

Investigators say Middleton, the alleged attacker, had previously pleaded guilty to a 2021 stabbing and was on probation when Schroeder was killed.
He now faces a murder charge and is held without bond at the Chatham County Detention Center.

Officials say the inability to perform a full autopsy will complicate certain aspects of the prosecution but will not prevent the case from moving forward.

As the investigation into the handling of Schroeder’s remains continues, local leaders and the victim’s family are demanding accountability. For continued updates on major criminal cases and public safety stories across the U.S., visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.