Update on cryogenics case

March 9, 2010

A dispute over the frozen remains of a 71-year-old Colorado Springs woman has ended in a settlement. The family of the late Mary D. Robbins, a retired nurse, agreedWednesday to end a legal battle aimed at preventing her from beingcryo-preserved by an Arizona nonprofit. In return, Alcor Life Extension Foundation, of Scottsdale, Ariz.,has agreed to pay a mortuary to cremate any part of her remains thatAlcor deems not suitable for preservation and return those ashes to herfamily. Alcor also agreed not to pursue a $50,000 annuity that Robbinshad set aside in 2006 to pay for her preservation. Both sides agreed not to publicly discuss what parts will be frozenor cremated. But in her contract with Alcor, Robbins specified that herhead was to be frozen. She died on Feb. 9. On Monday, an El Paso County Probate Courtmagistrate upheld the will and awarded Alcor custody of Robbins’remains. Her body has been kept packed in dry ice at the Shrine ofRemembrance mortuary in Colorado Springs pending the outcome of thelegal dispute.