DNA test planned in case of wrong body in casket; possible accidental cremation

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The daughter of a U.S. woman whose casket contained the wrong body says DNA tests will be performed to determine if her mother was accidentally cremated in Canada.

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Lisa Kondvar and her family found someone else’s body in Margaret Porkka’s casket last month at a New Jersey funeral home.

Porkka, 82, had died unexpectedly during a trip to St. Maarten over Thanksgiving and the family suspects her body was confused with that of a Canadian woman who died on the island around the same time.

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Scott Aldridge, a detective in Barrie, Ont., says that the woman in Porkka’s casket has been identified as 82-year-old Kathleen Togwell of Berrie and her body is being returned to Canada.

A Foreign Affairs spokeswoman has said that the department has been in touch both with officials in St. Maarten and relatives of the Canadian.

Kondvar said bodily fluids were recovered from a casket in Canada that might have contained Porkka’s body.

The family has sent her hairbrush and toothbrush for DNA testing and results are not expected until the end of the month.

“They’re just starting on it now,” she said. “It’s frustrating.”

The family wants to take possession of the ashes if they are determined to be those of Porkka. Kondvar said her father, Pete, is “just broken” after not being able to say a goodbye to his wife.

St. Maarten Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said last week that the government there has formed a committee to investigate the case at the request of U.S. officials.

Emerald Funeral Home director Orlando Vanterpool said, to his knowledge, he sent the correct remains but that he will provide a refund if it’s determined a mistake was made.

With files from The Canadian Press