ST. CROIX — A new modular morgue opened in Orange Grove on Monday, giving the V.I. Department of Justice dedicated space to conduct autopsies and forensic examinations on St. Croix after years of transporting bodies to St. Thomas. The opening also supports preparations for the demolition and reconstruction of the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital and Medical Center.
Governor Albert Bryan Jr. joined Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea and other officials for the opening of the 2,400-square-foot facility. According to Government House, the morgue addresses a need that has persisted for more than four years.
The facility includes an autopsy suite with two examination bays, refrigerated storage, a dedicated viewing room, and offices for medical examiners and death investigators. Government House said providing those services locally is expected to reduce transportation costs and delays for families while improving the efficiency of death investigations.
“For years, families have had to deal with the added burden of having their loved ones transported to St. Thomas for autopsies because we did not have an adequate facility here,” Mr. Bryan said. “We are finally addressing that need.”
Officials tour the examination room at St. Croix’s new modular morgue, which includes two examination bays and supports preparations for the Juan F. Luis Hospital rebuild. (Gov't House, St. Croix USVI)
The opening follows several missed completion targets. In February 2023, the Consortium reported that then-Acting Attorney General Carol Thomas-Jacobs expected the modular morgue to begin operating around mid-May that year. In January 2026, Mr. Rhea outlined plans to have the facility operational by April in a written response to Senate Vice President Kenneth Gittens.
That January response, previously reported by the Consortium, disclosed that 52 bodies from St. Croix had been transported to St. Thomas during 2025 at a total cost of $112,000. Mr. Rhea attributed the project's delays to site-selection problems, contract renegotiations and the loss of previously designated funding, which required the department to secure replacement funds.
“When somebody loses a loved one, that family is already dealing with enough,” Mr. Bryan said Monday. “They should not have to face additional complications because we don't have the proper facilities here on St. Croix. This project has taken longer than any of us wanted, but what matters now is that we have reached this point and are putting the services in place that our people deserve.”
Mr. Rhea said the new facility would strengthen medical examiner operations while providing services to families with dignity, compassion and respect. Government House identified Benton Consigli as the project contractor and credited the Department of Justice and other government partners with completing the morgue.
The opening is also part of the work to relocate essential services before the existing Juan F. Luis Hospital is demolished. The Office of Disaster Recovery announced a contract with Suffolk Construction in March for the hospital's demolition and reconstruction, beginning with a $3.4 million preconstruction phase.
Government House said preconstruction activities remain underway, including the relocation of supporting facilities and services needed to maintain healthcare operations during redevelopment. The modular morgue is among the facilities supporting that transition.
