Anderson later said that he believed the skull he was shown was a substitute — that Skull and Bones had presented a different skull to him, perhaps hoping he would accept it as Geronimo’s and sign the statement clearing the organization.

This account — a meeting at which possible human remains were produced, possibly substituted, and accompanied by requests to sign exculpatory statements — raised the stakes of the controversy considerably.

Skull and Bones has consistently denied possessing Geronimo’s remains.

The 2009 Lawsuit And Its Outcome

In 2009, Geronimo’s great-grandson Harlyn Geronimo and other descendants filed a federal lawsuit seeking to compel the return of Geronimo’s remains from Skull and Bones, the U.S.

Army, and the federal government.