On October 31, 2018, a tragic incident unfolded in Tacoma, Washington, when a 34-year-old man, Ray Bernard Houston, was observed walking directly into the path of an oncoming train. The severe injuries he sustained necessitated his immediate transfer to Tacoma General Hospital, where, sadly, he succumbed to his injuries shortly thereafter.
Following Ray Bernard Houston's death, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO) initiated a comprehensive effort to identify and locate any next of kin. Unfortunately, despite their diligent search, they were unable to find any family members or acquaintances who could claim the body. This left the office in a difficult position concerning the final arrangements for the decedent, whose identity and personal history seemed to remain shrouded in mystery.
In the absence of any identified next of kin or claimants, the PCMEO followed protocol by transferring Ray Bernard Houston's body to a funeral home that was part of their rotation. There, he was cremated, and it marked the final step in this somber process. The cremains were then returned to the custody of the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. Despite the meticulous efforts made, the case of Ray Bernard Houston remains unresolved, closed yet incomplete, as he rests without known relatives to mourn his untimely passing.
For further inquiries or information, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office can be reached at their contact number, 253-798-6494, under the agency case number 18-2178. The office continues to hold the cremains, keeping the case open to any potential leads that may help bridge the gap in identifying kin or acquaintances who might step forward to reclaim his legacy.
Date Found: 10/31/2018
