On February 1, 2018, the remains of Michael Clement Weigand, a 64-year-old male, were discovered in Tacoma, Washington. Identified under the Namus ID: UCP5361, Weigand passed away due to natural causes at the Allenmore Medical Center. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO), located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, conducted a thorough investigation to locate his next of kin. Despite their efforts, only a son, who had not had contact with Weigand since he was two years old, was located. The son declined to claim Weigand's remains, leaving him effectively unclaimed.
Following protocol for unclaimed bodies, Weigand's remains were sent to a rotation funeral home, where he was cremated. The cremated remains, also known as cremains, were subsequently returned to the PCMEO. Upon further investigation, it was determined that Michael Clement Weigand was a veteran, which qualified him for an honorable burial at the Tahoma National Cemetery. To facilitate this, the cremains were entrusted to the Missing in Action Project, an organization dedicated to ensuring proper burials for veterans who might otherwise be overlooked.
This case exemplifies the challenges faced by medical examiners and related agencies when dealing with unclaimed individuals. The PCMEO, reachable at 253-798-6494, extends its efforts to provide dignified resolutions for such cases. Although Weigand's family ties were fractured, the collaboration between the PCMEO and veteran support initiatives ensured he received an appropriate farewell. The agency continues to fulfill its commitment to the community through exhaustion of all available resources and the respect of those who served in the military.
Date Found: 02/01/2018
