Suit says deputy coroner's son posted death photos

EASTON, Pa. - The son of a Northampton County deputy coroner posted death-scene photos of a 19-year-old man on the Internet, according to a federal lawsuit filed by the dead man's father. Photos of James Werner Jr. were placed on the MySpace page of Ryan DeReamus, son of Deputy Coroner Donald DeReamus, according to the suit.

James Werner Sr. seeks monetary damages against Northampton County and Coroner Zachary Lysek, claiming violations of liberty interests and invasion of privacy. County Solicitor Karl F. Longenbach declined to comment on the suit, filed Friday.

Court papers say that Lysek and Donald DeReamus responded to the scene of Werner Jr.'s death on May 12, 2006. The lawsuit does not indicate the cause of death, but says that either Lysek or DeReamus took pictures, as is customary. DeReamus brought death-scene photos to his Bethlehem home, where Ryan DeReamus obtained them, the suit said.

Ryan DeReamus posted the photos on his page on the MySpace social-networking site under the headline, "There is no better way to kill yourself," the suit said. - AP