Long Island Family Seeks Justice After Illegal Organ Harvesting

GLK Law’s Fight for Justice on Behalf of the Family of Myriam Hoyos de Baldrich Featured in Newsweek

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (August 7, 2025) – A Long Island family is still seeking justice after their beloved grandmother became an unsuspecting organ donor shortly after her tragic death in Manhattan.

The incident began on May 6, 2022. Myriam Hoyos de Baldrich disappeared from her son’s Long Island home. Just one day later she was hit by a subway train in Manhattan.

She was transported to Bellevue Hospital and pronounced brain dead on May 9. Doctors at NYU Langone Health proceeded to remove her organs to be used in transplants without the knowledge or consent of her family. As devout Catholics, Myriam’s family opposes the practice of organ harvesting on religious grounds.

GLK law is representing Hoyos de Baldrich’s son, Alberto Anaya, and her husband, Freddys Baldrich Hilder, in a lawsuit. Family members have insisted that city and hospital officials neglected to notify them prior to the organ retrieval process.

Myriam Hoyos de Baldrich was listed as a Jane Doe at the hospital, despite the fact that there were clear indicators of her identity present. There was also a vulnerable missing adult report issued in Nassau County.

Jeff Korek is an attorney at GLK Law who represents Myriam’s family. He told Newsweek that LiveOnNY Foundation, New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, and NYU Langone Hospitals have issued motions to dismiss their lawsuit, though they have been denied.

A major issue in this case and other organ procedure organizations in New York is that they are heavily incentivized to meet donation goals. This can easily lead to situations where safety measures and safeguards are bypassed.

“Which makes it all the more concerning if people are bypassing checks in place to get to these bodies to be able to harvest their organs because at the end of the day, it’s a bigger paycheck for them,” Korek told Newsweek.

Getting Help After Illegal Organ Harvesting in New York

It is illegal for any hospital or healthcare system in New York to harvest a person’s organs without the consent of the person’s family. Despite this, organ procurement centers have grown increasingly aggressive in their attempt to secure more and more organs. These organs are what keep their business afloat. But the pursuit of profits should never contravene the law and come at the expense of a person’s dignity and legal rights.

Has your loved one been the victim of illegal organ harvesting in New York? You may have legal recourse. Our team of New York organ harvesting lawyers is here to help you. We care deeply that victims are aware of their rights and that hospitals are held accountable for their illegal conduct. Whether you have legal questions or are wondering how an attorney may be able to help, we are here to serve your needs. You can reach out to us anytime at (516) 908-9792.