A Michigan mother has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that first responders mishandled her 19-year-old son’s remains after a fatal motorcycle crash in 2023. According to the complaint, she learned only after her son’s funeral that a portion of his remains had allegedly been left at the accident scene and later discarded in a common trash bin.
The lawsuit, filed on July 23, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, names several officials and agencies involved in responding to the incident. The allegations have not been proven in court, and the defendants have denied any wrongdoing.
Lawsuit
Jessica Ostrowski filed the complaint nearly three years after the death of her son, Ethan Bennett, who died in a motorcycle accident in July 2023 after suffering what the lawsuit describes as a catastrophic head injury.
According to the filing, emergency responders and investigators processed the crash scene before cleanup crews were called in.
The lawsuit alleges that portions of Bennett’s brain, skull, and scalp were left behind during the recovery process.
Allegations
The complaint states that police reports documented the severity of Bennett’s injuries when officers arrived.
According to the lawsuit, his brain had been fully removed from his skull due to the impact, and fragments of his skull and hair were scattered around the crash site.
The Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office reportedly took custody of the body, after which the Inkster Fire Department was called to clean the area.
The lawsuit claims that significant human remains were improperly discarded during the cleanup.
| Allegation in Lawsuit | Description |
|---|---|
| Body parts left behind | Brain, skull, and scalp allegedly remained at the scene |
| Cleanup | Fire department later cleaned the area |
| Discovery | A portion of remains was allegedly found in a common garbage bin |
| Legal claim | Mishandling of human remains caused emotional distress |
Discovery
According to the complaint, Ostrowski did not learn about the alleged handling of her son’s remains until after his funeral.
She claims the discovery caused severe emotional distress and mental anguish.
In public comments reported by local media, Ostrowski said she wants those responsible to be held accountable.
She stated:
“I’m not going to stop fighting until they are all held accountable, because no family should have to deal with this.”
Autopsy
The lawsuit also references findings from Bennett’s postmortem examination.
According to the complaint, the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s report stated that no brain matter was present during the autopsy.
The report also reportedly noted receipt of a separate section of scalp, fractured skull fragments, and approximately 500 grams of brain tissue.
The lawsuit points out that an average adult brain weighs approximately 1,400 grams, using that comparison to support its claims regarding the missing remains.
Response
The City of Inkster has disputed the allegations.
Attorney Todd Perkins, representing the city, expressed sympathy for Bennett’s family while stating that officials believe emergency personnel acted appropriately.
According to Perkins, the city conducted a thorough internal review and concluded that both the Inkster Police Department and Inkster Fire Department handled the incident professionally.
He also noted that the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the matter and did not file criminal charges.
| Party | Position |
|---|---|
| Jessica Ostrowski | Alleges mishandling of her son’s remains |
| City of Inkster | Denies wrongdoing |
| City Attorney | Says responders acted professionally |
| Wayne County Prosecutor | No criminal charges filed |
Court
The lawsuit is currently pending in federal court.
At this stage, the allegations outlined in the complaint remain claims made by the plaintiff and have not been established through court proceedings.
The defendants are expected to respond through the legal process, where evidence from both sides will be examined.
The case raises questions about procedures used during fatal accident scene recoveries and the handling of human remains following traumatic incidents. As litigation moves forward, the court will determine whether the plaintiff’s claims are supported by the evidence presented by both parties.
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