Canadian family drove home with dad's dead body to avoid U.S. healthcare costs: officials

A Canadian family caught driving home from the U.S. with their dead relative in the back seat was allegedly trying to avoid the cost and hassle of bringing him to an American hospital.

Louis Drapeau, a 60-year-old Quebec man, was traveling back home from Florida with his two elderly parents when his 87-year-old father, Louis, died of a suspected heart attack, the Journal de Montreal reports.

Drapeau's son and wife decided to bring his body home by themselves in order to avoid the high cost of American health care and repatriation, according to the Toronto Sun.

Border agents at the Mooers, New York-Hemmingford, Quebec crossing found the man's body around 2:30 a.m. on March 31. At that point, responding paramedics said he had already been dead for about two days.

The man's son and his wife, both of whom reportedly appeared distraught during the incident, fully cooperated with officials, who were stunned by the discovery.

"This is never seen," Pierre Fortin, the president of the Customs and Immigration Union, said of the case, according to the Journal de Montreal.

The incident remains under investigation. An autopsy will be conducted, although foul play is not suspected.