Michigan Senate takes swift, unanimous action on legislation to explicitly criminalize necrophilia
LANSING, Mich. (June 4, 2024) — Today, the Michigan Senate acted in unanimous fashion to pass Senate Bills 841–843, sponsored by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe). Known collectively as “Melody’s Law,” these bills explicitly outlaw necrophilia. The legislation stems from the despicable 2021 murder of Michigan resident Melody Rohrer, who was also the victim of a heinous act of sexual assault after her murder.
“It’s heartening to see my Senate colleagues from both sides of the aisle come together to swiftly rectify a glaring loophole in our state’s criminal code,” said Sen. Klinefelt. “Today, we were able to achieve this goal in the Senate. I urge my colleagues in the House to act swiftly so we can deliver justice for victims like Melody and ensure perpetrators of heinous crimes are held accountable for their actions.”
Despite being found guilty in July 2023 of first-degree murder, concealing the death of an individual, and failing to stop at the scene of an accident, the perpetrator of Mrs. Rohrer’s murder and subsequent assault was not charged with necrophilia because the act is not currently illegal under Michigan law. To rectify this issue, Sen. Klinefelt and her Legislative Director worked with Mrs. Rohrer’s husband and daughters to draft Melody’s Law.
The legislation ensures that those convicted of this horrific act are held accountable by amending the Michigan Penal Code, PA 328 of 1931, to make the act of necrophilia punishable by up to 15 years in prison and require perpetrators to register in the Michigan Public Sex Offender Registry (PSOR).
During the committee process, this legislative package garnered support from the Michigan Dept. of Attorney General, Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services, Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan, and the Michigan Funeral Directors Association.
These bills now head to the Michigan House for their consideration.