Honk News (Houston, TX) – Authorities are on the lookout for a Houston embalmer following shocking allegations of mutilation involving a deceased individual. Reports indicate that the embalmer, upon discovering the man’s status as a registered sex offender, engaged in a disturbing act by severing the man’s penis and placing it in his mouth, as detailed in Harris County court documents.
Amber Laudermilk, 34, faces felony charges for abuse of a corpse in connection with an alleged incident that occurred on February 7.
Following accusations of desecrating the body, Laudermilk, a certified embalmer in Texas, reportedly intimidated fellow staff members into silence, according to documents.
“This is a vicious, brutal attack of a corpse. The person’s already dead,” Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen said. “When someone dies, there’s some dignity that should be left … it’s kind of shocking, even to me.”
According to records, the situation being looked into by Constable Rosen’s Office took place at Memorial Mortuary and Crematory on Pine Street, following a phone conversation between the funeral director in charge and the victim’s family.
Records indicate that there was a conversation about dividing the victim’s remains between the new spouse and his daughter from a prior marriage, with a family member noting that he was a registered sex offender.
Investigators report that the individual faced charges of sexual assault and received deferred adjudication in connection with an incident that occurred at a bar involving a woman. He was mandated to register as a sex offender.
Following that phone call, a witness reported seeing Laudermilk sever the victim’s penis midway and force it into his mouth, as stated in court documents.
“Two troubled lives coexisted at the same time. But this person, clearly our suspect, clearly just went off the edge,” Rosen said.
A trainee employee reported observing Laudermilk sever the victim’s penis and stab them twice in the groin with a scalpel, followed by the statement, “You didn’t see anything,” as per the records.
Prior to the victim being placed into the crematory apparatus, another staff member observed the victim’s penis in their mouth, prompting Laudermilk to swiftly cover the groin area with a towel, stating he had “a lot going on with him.”
Leaders at the funeral home notified the Texas Funeral Service Commission about the incident after a delay of 10 days, as records indicate that employees felt intimidated to address the matter.
“Dealing with the loss of a loved one is an incredibly difficult time and there are predators who exploit this vulnerability,” Funeral Service Commission Executive Director Scott Bingaman said.
He stated that this is the sole case of criminal abuse of a corpse in the state over the past two years and urged families to utilize the agency’s online license lookup tool prior to choosing a mortuary or crematory service for their loved ones.
Memorial Mortuary and Crematory communicated with KPRC 2 Laudermilk has parted ways with the company, yet chose not to disclose additional details, referencing a personnel issue and an active legal matter.
She remains free at this time.