On July 22, 2017, the body of a 75-year-old man named Charles Gary Felts was discovered and reported in Tacoma, Washington. Bearing the Namus ID UCP5327, his case falls under the category of "unclaimed persons," highlighting the poignant absence of family or acquaintances who might have taken responsibility for his remains. Mr. Felts passed away due to natural causes at Tacoma General Hospital, a place that served as a brief respite for him before his untimely demise. In life, Charles had found shelter at a local facility for the homeless, a reality that underscores the challenging circumstances he faced.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO), along with the hospital staff, undertook a comprehensive search to locate any surviving family members of Mr. Felts. Despite their best efforts, their searches were in vain, indicating either a complete lack of known relatives or an inability to reach any such individuals. This lack of familial connections particularly touched those who worked so diligently to find someone who could claim and care for Charles’s remains.
Following standard procedure for such unclaimed cases, Charles Gary Felts was sent to a rotation funeral home where he was cremated. The cremains were then respectfully returned to the custody of the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. This case reflects the isolation and anonymity that can accompany those who live marginalized existences, often without a safety net of friends or family to claim them in death. For those interested in more details or who might have known Charles, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington, can be reached at 253-798-6494 to provide or receive further information regarding case number 17-1471.
Date Found: 07/22/2017
