In the case of Michael R. Schaad, a male decedent whose body was found on January 14, 2016, the circumstances surrounding his death and the subsequent handling of his remains tell a poignant story of an unclaimed individual. Mr. Schaad passed away due to natural causes at Tacoma General Hospital. Following his death, his family was notified by the relevant authorities, but unfortunately, they did not respond to any of the calls regarding the disposition of his remains.
After the family failed to make arrangements, the decedent was sent to a rotation funeral home. Subsequently, his cremated remains, commonly referred to as cremains, were returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO). Despite numerous attempts to contact the family over the course of a year, the cremains remained unclaimed. Adhering to policy, the PCMEO conducted a ceremony on August 30, 2017, during which Michael R. Schaad’s cremains were respectfully scattered at sea.
This case is handled by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. For further inquiries, the PCMEO can be reached at 253-798-6494. The case is documented under the agency case number 16-0170. This situation underscores the challenges faced by medical examiners' offices in handling unclaimed remains and highlights the importance of efficient family communication and compassionate policies for unclaimed individuals.
Date Found: 01/14/2016
