In the peculiar and somber case of Wesley R. Feely, the journey of his unclaimed remains paints a poignant picture of an individual whose final chapter remained unresolved for years. Found on January 23, 2015, in Washington, the remains of Wesley R. Feely were discovered under unique circumstances. His cremated ashes were left abandoned in a cardboard box, marked with the details of his identity along with the tag number H-15206, at a residence. This occurred after a renter was admitted to a skilled nursing facility, inadvertently leaving behind the poignant memory of Feely’s existence.
Initially handled by Haakinson-Grouix Mortuary, the box indicated that Wesley R. Feely had passed away on July 22, 1998. Despite being deceased for nearly two decades, the lack of a claim from any relatives or friends meant that Feely’s ashes lingered in obscurity, unnoticed and unattended. This unusual set of circumstances called upon the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office to delve into the situation, under their case number 15-0146. The office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington, became a pivotal player in ensuring that Feely's remains received a modicum of posthumous dignity, despite having no living claimants to provide closure.
Out of respect and necessity, the unclaimed ashes of Wesley R. Feely were respectfully laid to rest through a scattering service at sea on August 17, 2016. By undertaking this measure, the authorities strived to afford Feely the serenity and finality that had eluded him since his passing. The actions of the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, reachable at 253-798-6494, underscored a compassionate and systematic approach to handling remains that had been forgotten by time, yet not by the professionals who sought to honor an unclaimed life in a dignified manner.
Date Found: 01/23/2015
