On February 3, 2017, the unclaimed body of a 68-year-old male, Chan Sap, was identified at Tacoma General Hospital in Lakewood, Washington. He passed away due to natural causes. Unfortunately, Mr. Sap had no known family, as he had informed the hospital staff that he was without any relatives or connections. In an effort to locate any possible family members or relatives, the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office (PCMEO) conducted a thorough and extensive search. Despite their effort, they were unable to find anyone connected to Mr. Sap.
Given the circumstances, Mr. Sap qualified for a program at the Lake Washington Institute of Technology, which accepts unclaimed individuals for educational and anatomical purposes. Following his acceptance into the program, Mr. Sap was later cremated, and his cremains were respectfully returned to the custody of the PCMEO. It was a dignified resolution for an individual who had seemingly left no familial legacy behind.
The case, identified under the Namus ID UCP5338 and Agency Case Number 17-0308, remains documented by the Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office. Located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington, the PCMEO can be reached at 253-798-6494 for any inquiries. Although the agency maintains a record of Mr. Sap, the absence of family ties highlights the poignant reality that some individuals pass through the world without familial connections, yet their stories and case files are preserved by those responsible for their posthumous care.
Date Found: 02/03/2017
