On July 30, 2018, in Tacoma, Washington, the body of Mekael Barehe, an unclaimed individual, was discovered by a property manager performing routine monthly inspections. The inspections were part of the manager's duties to address tenants who had not paid their rent for the month. Upon entering the decedent's room, the manager found Mekael Barehe lying on the floor in an advanced state of decomposition, indicating that some time had passed since his death. The scene suggested that July 4, 2018, was likely the last date Mekael Barehe was known to be alive.
Mekael Barehe’s case was handled by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington. The office is responsible for examining such unattended deaths and, if possible, identifying and notifying any next of kin. Despite efforts, no next of kin were located for Mekael Barehe. According to his medical records, he had reported himself as an orphan, claiming an absence of known family members. This possibly explains the lack of any kin coming forward or being found upon his death.
The unfortunate circumstances of Mekael Barehe’s death outline a somber situation where an individual with no known family ties or connections passed away unnoticed, only to be discovered weeks later due to procedural checks. With no next of kin or claims to his body, and with his details archived under the NamUs identifier UCP53187, his case highlights the challenges faced by medical examiners in dealing with unclaimed individuals who have lived on the periphery of social systems. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, reachable at 253-798-6494, manages cases such as these, striving to provide a dignified closure to the life’s story of those who passed away unclaimed.
Date Found: 07/30/2018
