SEATTLE -- Police say an investigator at the King County Medical Examiner's Office is suspected of stealing drugs from the dead for years.
When detectives first started checking out the thefts, they had no idea who was doing it or how many pills were stolen, until Thomas Chapin turned himself in and allegedly confessed to stealing hundreds of drugs.
Chapin is accused of taking everything from oxycodone and methamphetamine, to black tar heroin and crack cocaine.
When bodies are brought to the medical examiner's office, everything in their pockets, purses and wallets is taken out and inventoried -- right down to the number of pills left in prescription bottles.
On May 12, several strong painkillers disappeared, and Chapin's co-workers immediately became suspicious.
Feeling the guilt, police say, Chapin confessed to his supervisors, telling them he was an addict and needed help.
According to court documents, Chapin flew to California to confess to his parents and ask them what he should do.
They told him to go back to Seattle and turn himself in.
Chapin, 29, has been charged with two counts of felony drug possesion, and he could face up to six months in jail if convicted.
The medical examiner's office said Chapin's alleged thefts did not affect any investigations, and they are changing the way they collect and inventory pills and other possessions of the dead.
James Apa, spokesman for Public Health - Seattle & King County, said all of the controlled substances are now kept in a locked room that is under video surveillance, and containers are sealed with evidence tape.
Apa said when cases are closed, a second inventory will now be performed before any drugs are destroyed, to make sure the counts match the initial numbers.
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