On October 23, 2019, the body of 73-year-old Robert Riggins was found in University Place, Washington. Mr. Riggins, who was under hospice care at the time of his passing, represented one of many individuals whose final chapters are marked by an absence of known family connections or close acquaintances. Without any immediate family or friends to lay claim to his remains or provide insight into his life’s story, Mr. Riggins became known as one of the unclaimed.
The Pierce County Medical Examiner's Office, located at 3619 Pacific Avenue in Tacoma, Washington, is responsible for managing such cases. Despite a thorough search, the office was unable to locate any next of kin for Mr. Riggins. Such cases underscore the challenges faced when an individual departs without leaving a traceable legacy or network of surviving relatives.
For any inquiries related to this case, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office can be reached at 253-798-6494. They have documented this case under the number 19-2034, and more general information about such cases can be sought from their records. This instance, among others, highlights the responsibility public agencies bear in handling the affairs of those who die alone, ensuring dignity in death when connections in life may have been sparse or entirely absent.
Date Found: 10/23/2019
