James Bradley Lane, a 62-year-old man, was found deceased on December 11, 2017, in Washington at a friend's residence. He passed away due to natural causes. The only known relative was his estranged daughter, from whom he had been separated since she was just two years old. Despite efforts to connect, the daughter, through her mother, indicated that she would not be claiming her father's remains. The small family had no knowledge of any other relatives who might step forward.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO), located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, undertook a comprehensive search to identify any additional next of kin. Unfortunately, these efforts were fruitless, and no other relatives were found. In the absence of a claimant, Mr. Lane was cremated by a contract funeral service, with his cremains subsequently returned to the PCMEO for safekeeping.
On March 16, 2018, the Missing in America Project (MIAP) collected Mr. Lane's cremains. Having verified his status as a veteran, he was deemed eligible for burial at the Tahoma National Cemetery. This ensured that Mr. Lane, despite being unclaimed in life, received a dignified resting place among his fellow servicemen and women. The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office continues to serve as the administering agency for such cases, maintaining a commitment to respect and honor for unclaimed individuals.
Date Found: 12/11/2017
