UNITED STATES: Family Alleges Organ Group Tried To Harvest Brain-Dead Man’s Organs Against His Wishes
A 47-year-old New Jersey husband was declared brain dead after suffering a cardiac arrest during intimacy with his wife, sparking a dispute with an organ procurement group that allegedly tried to harvest his organs despite the family’s wishes.
Keith Lott collapsed at his Swedesboro home on May 16 while he and his wife, Brook, were trying to conceive, according to NJ reports.
Brook said he slumped over and began foaming at the mouth. She immediately called 911 and performed CPR until paramedics arrived and rushed him to Cooper University Hospital.
Doctors placed him on a ventilator, and a CAT scan showed swelling in his brain. On May 19 at 4:12pm, Lott was declared brain dead.
Within an hour, representatives from the NJ Sharing Network arrived at the hospital to discuss organ donation, the family alleged.
Lott had previously been a registered organ donor but removed himself from the registry in 2025, two years after converting to Islam. Many Muslims believe the body should not be altered after death.
The family said they informed NJ Sharing Network that Lott had opted out, but claim the representatives did not respect their request.