Medical research company CEO charged in North Austin corpse abuse case

AUSTIN, Texas — A second person has been charged in connection with an investigation into the unauthorized handling and experimentation on human remains and tampering with government records linked to a North Austin mortuary.

50-year-old Adeline Bui, owner of Capital Mortuary Services at 201 Victor Street, turned himself in last week on charges of tampering with government records and defrauding, a second-degree felony.

According to an arrest affidavit, Dr. Aaron Ali, CEO of the medical research company MedtoMarket, is believed to have knowingly engaged in or permitted illegal research and experimentation on human cadavers supplied by Capital Mortuary Services, a facility now under investigation for operating as an unlicensed anatomical research site.

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Dr. Ali admitted to investigators the misuse of human specimens, including dissected limbs and cremated remains, for unapproved tests at MedtoMarket’s Austin facility, violating ethical standards and state statutes.

Authorities executed a search warrant, uncovering photographic evidence, power tools with human tissue residue, and digital communications implicating both Bui and Dr. Ali in efforts to operate outside regulated anatomical donation channels.

Records show that neither MedtoMarket nor Capital Mortuary Services held the required licenses to function as an anatomical facility, as mandated by the Texas Health and Safety Code. The Texas Funeral Service Commission confirmed the absence of permits.

As of now, Dr. Aaron Ali faces a charge of abuse of corpse without authority and aggravated perjury, a state jail felony.

Dr. Ali’s attorney, Eric J.R. Nichols, sent the following statement:

These charges are completely unfounded. To some degree, law enforcement investigators have to rely on information provided by others. In this case, it is clear that law enforcement has been provided with incorrect information. Contrary to some of the information provided to law enforcement, all of the activities by Dr. Ali and the companies he works with were fully authorized by law. Anatomical facilities work with tissue that is donated by well-meaning donors and their families to serve the interests of medical science and the entire Texas community. Anatomical facilities, which are authorized by Texas law, serve the purpose of allowing first responders, physicians and other health care providers to train using such donated tissue in order to save lives and heal others. Dr. Ali’s long career is distinguished by his dedication to the health and well-being of others. This has been shown in the area of anatomical bioskills training, education and research, as well as in his work as a board-certified physician. He is also a responsible and active Travis County citizen and previously served in the United States Army Reserves. We look forward to the opportunity to work with law enforcement and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office to ensure that these charges are handled responsibly from this date forward. We believe that these meritless charges should be resolved in the near future.

The Austin Police Department will have a press conference on Wednesday, April 30, at 12:30 p.m. to provide an overview of the abuse of corpse investigation.

CBS Austin will have a crew there.