On August 22, 2015, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office encountered a challenging case when they received the body of Lillie Kaufman, an unclaimed individual. Discovered in Washington, Ms. Kaufman's remains were initially brought to the attention of the authorities after she passed away due to natural causes at the Franciscan Hospice House. Despite their efforts, investigators faced significant obstacles in identifying and contacting her next of kin. Her family had disconnected their phone and ceased all communication, leaving no trace of their whereabouts. Additionally, further searches for other possible family members proved fruitless, leaving the decedent without relatives to claim her remains.
Upon the completion of their investigation, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office took responsibility for Ms. Kaufman's remains. In accordance with their protocol for unclaimed individuals, the decedent was transferred to a rotation funeral home. Here, her body was cremated, and the cremains were subsequently returned to the Medical Examiner's Office for safekeeping. Despite the absence of family, the agency ensured that Lillie Kaufman received respectful treatment and care in her final journey.
Handling such cases can be particularly challenging for agencies like the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. They continue to act with diligence and compassion in managing unclaimed individuals, taking necessary steps to identify next of kin when possible. Unfortunately, in cases such as that of Lillie Kaufman, exhaustive efforts are sometimes met with little success. For further inquiries related to this case, interested parties can contact the agency at 253-798-6494, referencing Agency Case Number 15-1358.
Date Found: 08/22/2015
