Number of unclaimed remains at Knox County forensic center climbs above 425
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Every year, the remains of some people who die in East Tennessee go to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center and end up unclaimed. While the number of new additions to the list of unclaimed individuals was fewer in 2024 than it was in 2023, the total number of names on that list has climbed to more than 425.
In 2024, there were 36 people whose remains were unclaimed at the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. This was the third year that the number of unclaimed individuals has declined, with 2023 having 44 unclaimed remains cases. A spokesperson for the forensic center explained that the center saw a decline in cases overall last year.
Lucille, giraffe born at Zoo Knoxville in 2001, has died
Among those who were unclaimed, four were stillborn or newborn infants. Only one other person on the list was under the age of 50. As of February 27, 2025, there are 435 people listed on the forensic center's unclaimed remains list.
Although it is difficult to know the exact number of people whose remains are unclaimed after they die, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center maintains a list of their unclaimed remains cases. These cases specifically involve individuals whose deaths were sudden, unnatural, unexpected, unexplained, or that require further investigation.
The forensic center's spokesperson shared that approximately one-third of their unclaimed cases died because of an overdose, and there was a significant decrease in overdose deaths in 2024. While the final number of overdose deaths is not available yet, the Knox County District Attorney's suspected overdose dashboard estimates that there were 301 suspected overdose deaths in 2024, and 485 suspected overdose deaths in 2023.
Sevier County woman still missing after 2010 house fire
While many on the unclaimed list may have died as the result of an overdose, there can be a number of reasons someone may be unclaimed. Some may have no remaining family to claim them, had complicated family ties, or their loved ones may not have had the monetary means to claim them.
After a person's death, Tennessee law requires institutions and authorities to immediately notify the person's next of kin or another relative, if one is known, and gives a time frame that the body must be held for. At the forensic center, if a person's next of kin cannot be found or declines to make arrangements for them within a certain time frame, they become unclaimed, or an indigent under legal terms. A majority of these individuals are cremated and interred at the a mausoleum at Eastview Memorial Gardens in Strawberry Plains, but some qualify to be donated to the University of Tennessee's Forensic Anthropological Research Facility.
In some cases, family members or friends may come forward later to claim them, in which case the person's name is removed from the forensic center's list.
Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead
It is also important to note that when someone is unclaimed at the forensic center, the center searches their name in the Veterans Affairs Administration. If it is determined that an unclaimed individual is a veteran and qualified for burial rights, the forensic center works with Berry Funeral Home and the Dignity Memorial Unclaimed Veteran Burial Program to provide a memorial service for them. Currently, there are 58 unclaimed veterans in the forensic center's list, including one, SGT Billy Sharbono, who died in January 2024.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
Pinnacle Turkey Creek 5K raises money for older adults
KNOX COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Pinnacle Turkey Creek hosted a 5K race on Sunday morning raising money for older adults. This event raised awareness and money for Send Senior Citizens Love whose mission is to improve 'the lives of seniors around the world.' Tennessee Valley Authority leads Douglas Lake 'Community Day of Service' This was the first year for the event, but there are plans for more in future years, said Gabi Walsh, marketing manager for Pinnacle Turkey Creek. 'We're happy that so many people want to support a great nonprofit,' Walsh said. Ashley Lynch, founder of Send Senior Citizens Love, said it was humbling and amazing to see so many people come out to support this cause. She started her nonprofit in 2019 after the death of her grandparents. 'I wanted to do something in memory of them,' Lynch told 6 News. 'COVID hit, everybody went on lockdown and the seniors were often forgotten, so I wanted to do something to cheer them up.' Morristown hosts the Tennessee State Disc Golf Championships She said she wants to raise awareness for older adults who might feel isolated. Lynch added, 'Next year we'll plan bigger.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tennessee Valley Authority leads Douglas Lake ‘Community Day of Service'
DANDRDIGE, Tenn. (WATE) —It's been around eight months since Hurricane Helene hit East Tennessee. Now, state and federal agencies are wrapping up the Douglas Lake debris cleanup, a massive effort slated to be completed in June. On Saturday, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) led a 'Community Day of Service' on Saturday focused on removing leftover debris that might be tough for property owners to manage. Sheriff's office warns of 'ghost tap' scam targeting East Tennessee From clearing debris to assembling care packages for those still recovering, this isn't just about cleanup. It's about community at the Field of Dreams Activity Center and out on the shorelines of Douglas Lake. The debris had a major impact, shutting down tourism, hurting residents financially and disrupting their daily TVA has helped to reopen the lake after cleaning nearly 390 miles of shoreline, more than 90% complete with the mission. Scott Turnbow, Vice President of Civil Projects for TVA said that if you took all the debris collected so far and put it in a football field it would be about 100 feet deep.'We all talk about this is the best thing we've ever worked on because of the way the community has come together. They supported our endeavors, and ultimately, I think they're all happy because we are friends, and friends don't let friends down,' said have removed everything from tires and lighters to shotgun shells, refrigerators, and propane tanks. Lake cleanup Volunteer Jill Cody, lives on Douglas Lake, and was personally affected by the storm.'We had been out of town and came home to the devastation, and it was just shocking to see all of the children's toys and kitchen items and just things that you wouldn't expect to see normally. We also had a boil water kind of situation and just everything was very eerily quiet. We only heard helicopters, no boats, obviously, for a long time,' explained tackling her own property, she is now helping neighbors who are still picking up the pieces by volunteering.'Dandridge is a really small-town feel, even though it's growing, and I think that's what I love about this community, is everybody's coming together and working together to do good things for the community,' added is TVA's first hurricane relief project in East Tennessee, but the agency has managed to make a lasting impact. Man pleads guilty to murder in 2024 death of 22-year-old Knoxville woman 'This is about bringing the community together and really showing the example of how government, federal, state and local and the community can come together and transform a disaster into really a blessing,' explained Turnbow. Thanks to volunteers, 200 care packages are being brought to those in need. There are a couple of weeks left of lake cleanup, but the project is quickly approaching the finish line. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Sweetwater residents supporting each other after tornado in Loudon County
SWEETWATER, Tenn. (WATE) — An EF0 tornado moved through Loudon County Friday morning, damaging multiple structures and injuring five people. Most of the damage was found off Holt Road near the border of both Loudon and Monroe Counties. In a matter of moments everything changed for this community. Richard L. Bean to retire after mayor calls out problems at juvenile detention center 'Just total shock, because there was no warning like it hit so fast and it was over so fast, I've never been through something like this,' said Leslie Guilford. Guilford said the tornado was like nothing she had ever experienced before. 'We came running outside and there's a camper next door, and it had flipped over four times, and there were people trapped inside, so we ran down there in the rain to help try to make sure they were okay,' she said. 'We had the neighbors call 911 and then everybody started showing up to help and assess all the damage.' Four people were in the camper that flipped over, in talking to their family 6 News learned despite some minor injuries, they were doing okay. However, like many other residents, they weren't the only ones who were home when it happened. 'It was early this morning, and I think it was around 8:30, It just got really loud and the ceiling started creaking and all that other stuff,' said Craig Brackett. 'Next thing I know, I'm getting a call as a responder for the camper that had rolled over and I knew exactly, it was on our property.' National Weather Service surveying damage in Loudon County Brackett works as a first responder and also co-owns Grain Bin Commodities off Holt Road. He said multiple parts of his property were damaged, including two Airbnb's and two barns, one of which they use for events like 'Fall at the Farm.' 'It's all about people, the buildings are replaceable and we've got a lot of buildings to replace, but that's okay. The people are okay, that's what matters,' said Brackett. He said now that they know everyone off the road is safe, they will help each other rebuild. 'We have some of the best neighbors, they've been so supportive through everything, and they were the first ones down here right after it happened,' said Guilford. 'So we're thankful for Callie and Craig and all the other neighbors that have come by.' Five injured after EF-0 tornado in Loudon County When the tornado came through, Brackett's business was used as a post for first responders, the National Weather Service, the Red Cross, and as a place for the people displaced. While it will take a while to rebuild, they tell me they are glad everyone seems to be okay. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
