The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System lists an unclaimed person case for a male identified as Joseph B. Larrivee connected to Boston, Massachusetts. The case appears in NamUs’ Unclaimed Persons database, which organizes information under sections such as Case Information, Demographics, Circumstances, Physical Description, Medical Data, Clothing and Accessories, and Disposition of Remains—fields intended to capture when and where a body was found, identifying details, and the ultimate handling of the remains. The listing indicates that the decedent has been identified by name but remains unclaimed, meaning no next of kin has come forward to take custody.
In Massachusetts, deaths that fall under medicolegal jurisdiction—such as individuals found deceased without a known next of kin—are investigated by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. The OCME is responsible for determining cause and manner of death and maintaining custody of remains until lawful release. For unclaimed decedents, Massachusetts regulations require that reasonable efforts be made to locate and notify next of kin before any release to the Department of Transitional Assistance, which can facilitate final disposition when no claimant exists. These procedural safeguards are outlined in 505 CMR 2.00 and related guidance and frame how cases like that of Joseph B. Larrivee move from medical-legal investigation toward respectful disposition when no family member is identified or willing to claim the remains.
NamUs functions as the national clearinghouse that helps connect investigative agencies, medical examiners, and the public in unclaimed and unidentified person cases. By centralizing records and offering a structured case format, NamUs increases the chance that relatives, advocates, or institutions searching for a missing or deceased person can recognize details and come forward. The presence of Joseph B. Larrivee’s name in the unclaimed persons registry reflects that identification has been made, and the database entry exists to assist with locating next of kin or other lawful claimants so that the remains can be released appropriately under Massachusetts law.
Date Found: 08/19/2025
