Sharon Kay Newbern, a 75-year-old woman, passed away from natural causes on March 13, 2018, at her assisted living facility in Tacoma, Washington. Despite the sorrowful event, complications arose after her death, creating a challenging situation for those responsible for handling her remains. It was an unexpected turn of events when the designated funeral home, the Neptune Society, found itself unable to locate any next of kin, as her son passed only days after Sharon’s own death, leaving her without any immediate family to claim her.
In search of a solution, the Neptune Society reached out to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO) for assistance in locating any next of kin. Despite thorough efforts by the PCMEO, all attempts were unsuccessful. Left with few options, Sharon’s remains were entrusted to a rotational funeral home. She was eventually cremated, and her cremains were returned to the PCMEO, a somber conclusion to what should have been a straightforward posthumous process.
This case underscores the difficulties and procedural hurdles that can arise when an elderly individual passes away without any clear next of kin. Despite the best efforts of both the Neptune Society and the PCMEO, they were unable to resolve the situation. Sharon’s case remains a poignant reminder of the importance of familial connections and the complexities that often accompany their absence in the aftermath of life. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, can be contacted at 253-798-6494 for any further inquiries regarding this case.
Date Found: 03/13/2018
