Lafayette Family Seeks Answers After Loved One's Body Location Unknown for Over 30 Days

Jamel Wiltz's family struggled to obtain a death certificate, cause of death, or information about where his body was being held.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The family of 32-year-old Jamel Wiltz says they were left without answers for weeks after his death, unable to locate his body or move forward with burial plans. Wiltz died on Christmas morning at a hospital in Baton Rouge after being transferred from a mental health facility. In the weeks following his death, the family says they struggled to obtain a death certificate, cause of death, or information about where his body was being held.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges families can face when trying to locate and gain information about a deceased loved one, especially when communication between different agencies breaks down. It raises questions about transparency and accountability in the handling of such sensitive situations.

The details

The East Feliciana Parish Coroner said Wiltz died from defecation syncope, a medical condition involving a loss of oxygen to the brain while straining during a bowel movement. The family says they were told Wiltz's body remained at the Eastern Louisiana Hospital morgue for more than 30 days following his death, despite the family's attempts to make funeral arrangements. The family reached out to multiple hospitals and coroners in Baton Rouge to try to locate the body, but were unable to get clear answers for several weeks.

  • Wiltz died on Christmas morning, 2026.
  • Wiltz's body remained at the Eastern Louisiana Hospital morgue for more than 30 days following his death.

The players

Jamel Wiltz

A 32-year-old man who died at a hospital in Baton Rouge after being transferred from a mental health facility.

Pauline Wiltz

Jamel Wiltz's aunt, who described the situation as a breakdown in communication between agencies.

Precious Wiltz

Jamel Wiltz's sister, who said the lack of information made it difficult for the family to grieve.

East Feliciana Parish Coroner

The coroner who stated that Wiltz died from defecation syncope.

Moss Street Plaza Funeral Home

The funeral home that the family tried to work with to make funeral arrangements, but was unable to do so because the body had not been released.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We set up a funeral service, couldn't bury him because we had no body.”

— Pauline Wiltz, Jamel Wiltz's aunt

“It's crazy because everybody is pulling apart from one another. This one is doing this, that one is doing that. They're not telling us what's going on, nothing. It's just a lot.”

— Pauline Wiltz, Jamel Wiltz's aunt

“I just want justice for my brother, to lay him down. I don't know what to say. I'm just speechless right now. It's just too much.”

— Precious Wiltz, Jamel Wiltz's sister

What’s next

Once Wiltz's body is released to Moss Street Plaza Funeral Home, the family will be able to move forward with funeral services.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of clear communication and coordination between agencies when handling the remains of a deceased individual. Families deserve transparency and timely information during these difficult times in order to properly grieve and make funeral arrangements.