On December 28, 2015, the body of Richard Garrett, an unclaimed male, was discovered in Tacoma, Washington. He had passed away from natural causes at the Orchard Park Health and Rehabilitation facility. Following standard procedures, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO) was notified of the case and began their investigation to determine the identity and background of the deceased. They worked diligently to contact Garrett's family to inform them of his passing.
Upon reaching out to his family, it became clear that while they were aware of Garrett's death, they were unable to claim his remains due to financial constraints. This unfortunate reality left the decedent's final arrangements at the discretion of the county. The decision was made to send his body to a rotation funeral home, a routine measure for unclaimed remains, ensuring that he was treated with respect and dignity even in absence of a private service.
Once the cremation process was complete, Richard Garrett's cremated remains were returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. As the months passed, his remains remained unclaimed by family members or other potential beneficiaries. Adhering to the established protocol for such cases, PCMEO staff held a ceremony to scatter Garrett's remains at sea on August 30, 2017, marking the final chapter of their involvement in the case. This ceremony ensured that he was given a respectful and dignified farewell, even as his remains went unclaimed for over a year. For more information, inquiries can be directed to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington, or by phone at 253-798-6494, citing case number 15-2141.
Date Found: 12/28/2015
