On December 1, 2015, the body of Dennis Ray Hopkins was discovered in an alleyway in Tacoma, Washington. The decedent, identified by Namus ID: UCP2538, had passed away from natural causes. This unfortunate event was handled by the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. The office can be reached at 253-798-6494 for any inquiries related to this case, recorded under Agency Case Number 15-1958.
Following the discovery and identification of Dennis Ray Hopkins, the appropriate familial notifications were made. However, his family decided not to claim his remains, leading the Medical Examiner's Office to follow their established protocols. As is standard practice, the decedent was sent to a rotation funeral home where his body was cremated. Subsequently, the cremated remains were returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office.
For over a year, Dennis Ray Hopkins' cremated remains remained unclaimed. In accordance with the agency's policy for such circumstances, a respectful ceremonial scattering at sea was arranged. On August 30, 2017, staff from the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted the ceremony, ensuring that the remains of Dennis Ray Hopkins were finally laid to rest in a dignified manner, albeit unclaimed by family. This case is a poignant reminder of the diligent efforts made by agencies to treat all decedents with respect and to provide closure in even the most challenging of unclaimed situations.
Date Found: 12/01/2015
