Schiavo's Remains Cremated as Autopsy Becomes Part of Feud

I didn't write about this story until her passing. But this strange story just gets stranger:

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: April 3, 2005

TAMPA, Fla., April 2 (AP) - Terri Schiavo's body was cremated on Saturday as disagreements continued between her husband and her parents, who were unable to have their own independent expert observe her autopsy.

The cremation was carried out according to a court order issued on Tuesday that established that Michael Schiavo had the right to make such decisions, said his lawyer, George Felos. He said plans for burying Ms. Schiavo's ashes in Pennsylvania, where she grew up, had not yet been completed.

Ms. Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, said they wanted to bury their daughter in Pinellas County so they could visit her grave.

The Schindlers had sought to have independent medical experts observe their daughter's autopsy at the Pinellas County medical examiner's office, but the agency refused their request, the family's lawyers David Gibbs III and Barbara Weller said on Saturday.

The autopsy was completed Friday, but the results are not expected for several weeks.