Carmen Perez, a 97-year-old woman from Fresno, California, died at a nursing home in Fresno on August 11, 2025. On September 19, 2025, the Fresno County Sheriff–Coroner’s Office asked the public for help locating her relatives so that next of kin can be notified and burial arrangements can proceed. Staff reported searching numerous personal records but were unable to find family members. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Coroner’s Unit at 600-3400 or email.
According to the Fresno County Sheriff–Coroner’s Office, the coroner is legally responsible for identifying the deceased, notifying next of kin or a legal representative, and safeguarding the decedent’s estate until it can be turned over to the legal heirs or the Public Administrator. The office emphasizes “dignity in death” and determines the cause, circumstances, and manner of deaths within its jurisdiction—functions that frame why appeals like the one for Perez are made when relatives cannot be located.
The public advisory for Perez underscores the practical barrier preventing release of remains: without confirmed next of kin, the coroner cannot complete the necessary steps to authorize final disposition. The appeal specifically notes the need to reach immediate family and provides direct contact channels so community members who knew Perez or her relatives can assist in closing the gap.
Date Found: 08/11/2025
