By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2026-08-05 18:03:34 | Updated at 2026-08-05 20:14:53
3 hours ago
A husband suffered a medical episode during sex with his wife that left him brain dead, with an organ procurement group then trying to harvest his remains against his family's wishes.
Keith Lott, 47, suffered cardiac arrest at his home in Swedesboro, New Jersey home on May 16 while he and his wife, Brook, were trying to make a baby, NJ.com reported.
He slumped over and started foaming at the mouth, Brook recalled.
She called 911 and performed CPR on him until the paramedics arrived and rushed him to the emergency room at Cooper University Hospital.
He was placed on a ventilator and a CAT scan revealed that he had swelling in his brain, Brook said.
Lott was declared brain dead at 4.12pm on May 19 and within the hour representatives from the NJ Sharing Network showed up at the hospital to talk about next steps for harvesting his organs, his family alleged.
The 47-year-old had been a registered organ donor until last year when he opted to be removed from the registry in 2025, two years after he converted to Islam.
Lott was among the many Muslims who believe that the human body should not be altered after death.
Keith Lott, 47, suffered cardiac arrest at his Swedesboro home on May 16. He is pictured with his wife, Brook, who performed CPR and called 911
The 47-year-old had been a registered organ donor until last year when he opted to removed from the registry last year because of his faith
The family told the NJ Sharing Network representatives that Lott no longer wanted to be an organ donor, but allege that the reps did not respect the request.
'They kept saying when you check that box to be a donor, it's a lifetime contract,' Lott's sister-in-law Tiffany told the news outlet.
The family claims the reps noted how he signed up for organ donation when he renewed his driver's license in 2021.
But when they showed them his 2025 license, which no longer listed him as a donor, and made reference to his religious beliefs, the reps reportedly pushed back.
They told the family that Lott should have gone to the registry to have himself removed.
The family, who were trying to make sure he was buried within three days, in accordance with Muslim tradition, claims the hospital could not take Lott off life support because of the NJ Sharing Network's claim.
The organization threatened to take the family and hospital to court over the incident, the Lotts allege.
It wasn't until a few days later, when Lott's niece Blake got a state senator's office involved that the organization backed down.
The family, who were trying to make sure he was buried within three days, in accordance with Muslim tradition, claims the hospital could not take Lott off life support the NJ Sharing Network claimed it had a right to his organs
Blake works as an intern for Sen Paul Moriarty and approached her colleagues for legal advice. That's when they reached out to the hospital on her behalf.
'They basically told [the hospital] what they were doing was illegal,' Blake told NJ.com. 'They said you're not going against the family's wishes, and his license? He's not an organ donor and there's the religious aspect.'
Two hours later, the organization told the family that they would release Lott's body.
He was buried three days later.
Moriarty has since introduced a bill that would require organ procurement organizations to 'access the latest, newest, most up-to-date information that is available at the Motor Vehicle Commission.'
The lawmaker said the MVC database is up to date and does not believe the 'gaps' in the system stem from the agency.
The MVC told the news outlet that its organ donor registry is 'immediately updated' when someone makes a change and that procurement organizations are provided 'direct, real-time electronic access to the donor information.'
It is unclear why NJ Sharing Network did not recognize Lott's 2025 update.
The organization, in a statement to NJ.com, agreed a person can change or remove their organ donation registration at the MVC anytime.
The organization only backed down after Lott's niece involved a state senator in the case
A spokesperson also said the organization accesses the MVC database 'in real time to verify the most up-to-date information regarding their organ donor status that is entered, updated, and provided from the MVC.'
NJ Sharing Network is reportedly being investigated by a Congressional committee over allegations of 'fraud, cover-ups, and illegal practices.'
The Daily Mail has approached NJ Sharing Network, the MVC and Moriarty's office for comment.
Lott's mother, Minnie, in a statement shared on Facebook in May, wrote: 'Let's spread awareness about a crucial issue regarding organ donation involving The NJ Sharing Network in New Jersey. When Keith first got his driver's license, he had opted for organ donation, but after finding his faith in Islam, he chose not to be a donor. Now, The Sharing Network is at odds with Cooper Hospital over Keith's wishes.
'It's vital to know that registering for organ donation in New Jersey is a lifelong commitment that requires proactive steps to reverse. Families and loved ones should be aware of the importance of communicating one's desires regarding organ donation.
'In this difficult situation, The Sharing Network's actions are adding to the family's distress, as Cooper Hospital is being instructed to keep Keith's body on life-support machines solely for organ preservation. Sharing this story may help others avoid similar heart-wrenching experiences during vulnerable times.'
