On January 5, 2016, the remains of a man identified as John Baker were discovered in Washington. The case was assigned the Namus ID UCP2528. Despite an initial impression of mystery surrounding his identity and life, it was concluded that John Baker died of natural causes at the Franciscan Hospice House. Subsequent investigations revealed that he had no known family, which presented a challenging situation for the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office in attempting to locate next of kin.
The responsibility of determining Baker's final arrangements fell to the medical examiner's office, as any potential connections to family members or acquaintances proved fruitless. Officers tried to locate any relatives through a next of kin (NOK) search, though, despite their efforts, they were ultimately unsuccessful in discovering any family members who might claim the remains. This unfortunate scenario led to the decedent being cared for by a rotation funeral home.
In accordance with their protocol, Baker's cremains were returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. They remained unclaimed for over a year, as any potential family never came forward. Per policy, after this period lapsed, the staff conducted a respectful ceremony during which the cremated remains were scattered at sea. This ceremony took place on August 30, 2017, marking the final chapter of John Baker's story, as handled with dignity by the office.
For any inquiries related to the case, interested parties can contact the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. The office is available at the phone number 253-798-6494, referencing Agency Case Number 16-0025. Despite the challenges and sadness surrounding this case, the agency upheld its commitment to providing respectful and compassionate handling of John Baker’s remains.
Date Found: 01/05/2016
