On July 7, 2017, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office in Tacoma, Washington, recorded the case of an unclaimed individual under NamUs ID UCP5329. The decedent, identified as 65-year-old Dennice Secrist, was found deceased at St. Joseph Medical Center. An examination revealed she died of natural causes. Unfortunately, Secrist's passing brought to light a life seemingly lived without immediate or extended family, as efforts to locate any relatives proved fruitless.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, responsible for overseeing cases such as Secrist's, conducted a thorough investigation in hopes of identifying any next of kin. Despite their extensive search, no family members were found, leaving the office to make arrangements for her posthumous care. In accordance with protocol for unclaimed individuals, the medical examiner's office sent Secrist’s body to a rotation funeral home.
Upon completion of the necessary procedures at the funeral home, Dennice Secrist was cremated, and her cremains were subsequently returned to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. The handling of her case underscores the agency's diligent process in caring for individuals without kin, marking a poignant reminder of the often silent stories carried by those who pass without known familial ties. Further information or inquiries regarding this case can be directed to the agency's office located at 3619 Pacific Avenue, Tacoma, Washington, by contacting them at 253-798-6494.
Date Found: 07/07/2017
