HOUSTON, Updated 7:33 p.m. CST November 20, 2000 -- The Harris County medical examiner's office was alarmed Monday after a picture of a burned man in the morgue was published on the Internet.

Three and a half years ago, a drunken driver slammed into Elizar Morales' car, setting it on fire, killing him.

Morales' autopsy pictures were published on the Internet, much to his family's dismay and the medical examiner's outrage.

Chief medical examiner Dr. Joye Carter has launched an investigation, but she wants to know how the pictures got out.

"I am appalled," Carter said. "This is what we try to guard against. I hope that no one in law enforcement or the medical examiner's office had anything to do with it."

The graphic photos have upset Morales' family, who released a statement saying that the timing of the photos is very disturbing.

"We are saddened by this and it magnifies the pain we are already feeling around Thanksgiving," the release said.

Carter said that this incident should remind people who deal with evidence to guard it closely so it doesn't fall into the wrong hands.

"Our hearts go out to the family," Carter said.

The creators of the Web site would not return News2Houston's phone calls.