On October 26, 2018, the body of a 75-year-old male identified as Ronald W. Smith was discovered in Tacoma, Washington. Mr. Smith passed away due to natural causes at Tacoma General Hospital. Despite an extensive effort by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office to locate any next of kin, their search proved to be unsuccessful. With no relatives found to claim the body, the remains of Mr. Smith were sent to a rotation funeral home where he was subsequently cremated.
Once the cremation process was complete, the cremains of Ronald W. Smith were returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. In their thorough consideration of proper final arrangements, it was discovered that Mr. Smith had served in the military, making him eligible for burial at the Tahoma National Cemetery, a designated resting place for veterans.
Arrangements were thus made to honor the decedent with a dignified burial befitting a veteran. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office coordinated with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), granting them the responsibility of ensuring that the cremains would be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery. Though his next of kin remained unidentified, the efforts of the PCMEO and VA ensured that Ronald W. Smith received a respectful and honorable burial.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington, handled all logistical aspects of the case under the agency case number 18-2149. For further details, inquiries can be directed to their office via contact number 253-798-6494. The case of Ronald W. Smith is a poignant reminder of the processes in place to ensure even the unclaimed are treated with dignity in their final journey.
Date Found: 10/26/2018
