In September 2019, the body of Chong Suon Loper was discovered at her residence in Tacoma, Washington, marking the beginning of a case that would remain unresolved in terms of familial connections. An elderly individual at 79 years of age, Loper passed away naturally, and her case was subsequently assigned the Namus ID: UCP62319 by the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. Despite extensive efforts, officials were unfruitful in locating any immediate family members to notify about her passing.
The only potential lead came from Loper’s ex-husband, who indicated that she might have had a son living in Japan. However, he was unable to provide any detailed information about this possible offspring. In the hope of uncovering more about her family, multiple attempts were made by the medical examiner's office to reach out to the Japanese consulate. Unfortunately, these efforts were in vain as no responses were received, further obscuring the path towards finding any next-of-kin.
Given the absence of family to take custody of the remains, the routine protocol was initiated. Chong Suon Loper’s body was sent to a rotation funeral home, where she was cremated. The cremated remains were then returned to the custody of the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. Despite her life ending in solitude, the unyielding dedication exhibited by the local medical examiner's office in seeking out her family highlights a commitment to ensuring that every individual receives dignity in both life and death, regardless of familial circumstances. Loper's case remains as a poignant reminder of those who pass through life largely unseen and underscores the importance of community and institutional support in such situations.
Date Found: 09/20/2019
