In the quiet suburban setting of Lakewood, Washington, the body of a man named Jin Hwan Lee was discovered on November 25, 2015. The circumstances surrounding his death indicated it was a result of self-inflicted hanging at his residence. Despite efforts by investigators to piece together the story of this solitary individual, few details emerged about his life. Unfortunately, no family members were identified, and Lee's past remained largely a mystery.
Following the discovery, the remains of Jin Hwan Lee were handled with the utmost care by the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington. As part of their protocol, the office attempted to locate any known next of kin (NOK) for Lee, a search that ultimately proved unsuccessful. His remains were cremated and the ashes were left in the care of the Medical Examiner’s Office after being processed by a rotation funeral home.
For over a year, Jin Hwan Lee's cremated remains remained unclaimed. In accordance with office policy, and in an effort to provide some measure of dignity and closure, the staff at the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted a ceremony to scatter the remains at sea on August 30, 2017. This act of scattering at sea served as a symbolic return to nature and was carried out with respect and solemnity by the office’s staff, even in the absence of family or friends to bid farewell. The case of Jin Hwan Lee, listed under NamUs ID UCP2541 and agency case number 15-1921, reflects a poignant tale of solitude and the efforts made by local authorities to provide final respect to an unclaimed life.
Date Found: 11/25/2015
