The Michigan House of Representatives voted on Thursday to pass a trio of bills known as “Melody’s Law,” aiming to criminalize necrophilia statewide. Having already cleared the Michigan Senate, the legislation is now on its way to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for an expected signature.
Under Melody’s Law, sexual penetration of a corpse would be classified as a felony, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Lesser offenses involving sexual contact with a deceased body, such as intentionally touching specific areas for sexual gratification, would be treated as misdemeanors, punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine up to $500, or both.
The law is named in memory of Melody Rohrer, 64, who was murdered in Van Buren County in 2021. Colby Martin was convicted of first-degree murder after authorities determined he intentionally struck Rohrer with his truck while she was walking, then took her body and sexually abused it. Martin claimed the incident was an accident and denied any sexual misconduct.
In the absence of a federal law criminalizing necrophilia, and with Michigan among a handful of states without a specific ban, the Michigan House of Representatives has taken a decisive step. While disinterment, mutilation, detacement, or improper removal of human remains is already a 10-vear felony in Michigan, the new bill specifically targets necrophilia.
