ME Office Investigator in Florida, NYC Accused of Stealing from Deceased Individuals

In a deeply disturbing revelation, a former medical examiner office worker is facing criminal charges for allegedly exploiting the personal information of deceased individuals under his professional care. Darrell Fernando Reid Jr., 38, stands accused of stealing funds from the very people whose deaths he was tasked with investigating in both Florida and New York City.

The shocking scheme unfolded over several years, with Reid allegedly pilfering multiple bank cards from the deceased while working at two medical examiner offices. According to court records, he utilized the stolen information to transfer funds directly into his personal account through the Cash App.

The alleged illicit activities came to light in October when Reid, who had been an investigator with the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office for just nine months, reportedly swiped a Bank of America card during a death investigation. The deceased individual’s daughter discovered suspicious transactions, with three $150 Cash App payments made by Reid to a woman he was romantically involved with, according to prosecutors.

What makes the case particularly egregious is the timeline of these transactions. The first payment occurred a mere 90 minutes after investigators had concluded their work at the deceased person’s residence, and the key to the property was handed over to the daughter. Furthermore, the bank card, initially documented among the contents found during the death examination, was later found sitting openly on the kitchen counter.

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Subsequent investigations uncovered Reid’s alleged involvement in similar incidents involving at least three other deceased victims. The disturbing pattern indicates that he may have exploited his position during death investigations to engage in financial fraud.

Reid’s activities extended beyond the boundaries of Florida, as he faced accusations of similar misdeeds during his tenure as an investigator for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. The arrest warrant suggests that he not only targeted deceased individuals during on-site investigations but also allegedly lifted debit card information while examining files related to death cases.

Between 2020 and November of the previous year, Reid is said to have utilized 27 payment sources on his Cash App, comprising 25 debit and credit cards and two Cash App cards. The precise number of cards involved in the alleged scheme is yet to be determined, as an ongoing investigation is exploring the account holders associated with these sources.

Reid now faces three counts of fraudulently using the personal identification information of a deceased person and fraudulent use of a credit card. The gravity of the charges underscores the severe breach of trust, as Reid exploited his role in handling sensitive information tied to the deceased, demonstrating a shocking betrayal of professional ethics.

In response to the allegations, Reid resigned from the Broward County Medical Examiner’s Office, where he had been employed since April 2023. The New York Office of Chief Medical Examiner has not yet provided details regarding Reid’s employment status.

This distressing case raises questions about the safeguards in place within medical examiner offices and the need for heightened scrutiny in handling sensitive information linked to the deceased. As legal proceedings unfold, the public is left grappling with the unsettling reality that even in spaces dedicated to the pursuit of justice and compassion, individuals may succumb to the temptation of exploiting the vulnerable, even in death.