Query into cremated remains in landfill may take weeks

Nov. 23 -- Waste Management Inc. does not expect to learn anything for several weeks about how cremated remains of war heroes found their way to a company landfill in Virginia.

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta appointed retired Army Gen. John P. Abizaid on Nov. 21 to lead the investigation into the activities at the Dover Air Force Base mortuary, which apparently sent the cremated remains to the King George County landfill in Virginia through a military contractor between 2003 and 2008.

"We haven´t and don´t anticipate hearing anything back form the Air Force until the panel wraps up its investigation, which is same 60-day timeline announced by Sec. Panetta on Nov. 8," Lisa Kardell, a spokeswoman for Waste Management, said in a statement.

Abizaid was pegged to lead the investigation after its original chairman stepped down shortly after being appointed.

Body parts of war dead were reportedly cremated and then incinerated before being shipped to the landfill, which is owned by King George County and operated by Waste Management. Both the county and the company were surprised to learn of the practice when the story broke earlier this month.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at jpjohnson@crain.com or 937-964-1289.

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