On October 3, 2017, the body of Daniel Dukes, a 75-year-old man, was found in Tacoma, Washington. The discovery was made at Manor Care Nursing Home, where Mr. Dukes had passed away from natural causes. Despite the substantial efforts of the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, no next of kin could be located for Mr. Dukes, leaving him unclaimed.
With no family available to claim him, Mr. Dukes' remains were sent to a rotation funeral home, following the protocol for unclaimed individuals. There, he was cremated and subsequently returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. During their investigations, it was determined that Mr. Dukes was a veteran, thereby qualifying for a dignified burial at the Tahoma National Cemetery.
On January 17, 2018, in accordance with ensuring a respectful conclusion for unclaimed veterans, Mr. Dukes' cremains were entrusted to the Missing in America Project. This organization is dedicated to locating, identifying, and interring unclaimed veterans in National Cemeteries. Thanks to their efforts, Mr. Dukes was placed for burial at Tahoma National Cemetery, ensuring he received the honor befitting a veteran.
For those interested in the specifics of this case, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office can be contacted. They are located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington, and can be reached at 253-798-6494. This case was documented under Agency Case Number 17-1913, corresponding to Namus ID: UCP5281.
Date Found: 10/03/2017
