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Family of fallen S.C. detective sues former EMT, ambulance service over alleged morgue photos

The family of Anderson County Detective Mark Garrett alleges a former EMT took and shared unauthorized morgue photos and that Medshore failed to recover or delete them

ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. — The family of an Anderson County detective killed in a crash has filed a lawsuit against an ambulance service and a former EMT, alleging the EMT took photos of the detective’s body at the Anderson County morgue.

Tanya Garrett, the wife of Detective Mark Garrett, has filed a lawsuit in Anderson County against Lauren Jutila, a former Medshore Ambulance Services employee, as well as the ambulance service, WSPA reported.

| EARLIER: S.C. EMT fired after allegedly taking photos of deputy’s body in morgue

Detective Mark Garrett was killed Oct. 1, 2025, when a suspected drunk driver struck his motorcycle in Williamston, according to the lawsuit. The filing alleges that after his body was taken to the Anderson County Morgue, Medshore employee Lauren Jutila accessed it and took unauthorized photos that were shared with co-workers.

The lawsuit alleges the photos may have been shared electronically, including by text or social media, and notes that no images or details about Garrett’s condition had been made public at the time.

On Oct. 30, Medshore said it fired an EMT for taking photos of Garrett’s body at the morgue after an internal investigation, and the Anderson County Coroner’s Office said it was also reviewing the incident.

The lawsuit also alleges Medshore was negligent in allowing the photos to be taken and failed to ensure all copies were recovered or deleted after the EMT was fired.

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Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.