Lexington coroner seeks help returning belongings to loved ones

The Lexington County Coroner’s Office is requesting the community’s assistance in locating the family members of deceased persons to return personal items that have gone unclaimed.

Coroner Margaret Fisher said the return of these personal items of a deceased person can be “very poignant and upsetting for families, but their return can also preserve memories and hold strong emotional meanings.”

Since taking office in 2014, Fisher said she and her deputies have been attempting to return all personal items of deceased persons to their loved ones, but the task can be difficult at times.

Fisher said she is asking the public to help track down the family members of the following deceased persons to return personal belongings to:

▪  Christopher Caughman (Date of birth: Sept. 2, 1967; Date of death: Dec. 4, 2007)

▪  Jacob Watson Bolton (Date of birth: Sept. 10, 1983; Date of death: Sept. 6, 2009)

▪  Paula D. Justice (Date of birth: Jan. 4, 1970; Date of death: April 11, 2013)

▪  Teresa B. Garner (Date of birth: Dec. 22, 1962; Date of death: May 4, 2012)

▪  Raymond L. Cortes (Date of birth: Dec. 11, 1942; Date of death: Feb. 22, 2009)

▪  Elizabeth Deyoe (Date of birth: Dec. 14, 1964 ; Date of death: Oct. 7, 2014)

▪  Michael J. Leclaire (Date of birth: April 11, 1959; Date of death: July 18, 2011)

▪  Melissa Rice (Date of birth: May 2, 1986; Date of death: Nov. 24, 2009)

▪  William Gregory (Date of birth: Oct. 21, 1951; Date of death: March 3, 2011)

▪  James F. Kinney (Date of birth: Jan. 24, 1957; Date of death: Feb. 24, 2009)

▪  Kenny S. Yi (Date of birth: March 31, 1992; Date of death: March 14, 2013)

▪  Marrissa Haynes (Date of birth: Aug. 26, 1979; Date of death: April 4, 2020)

▪  Michael Kinard (Date of birth: Jan. 1, 1954; Date of death: Nov. 4, 2014)

▪  Emery A. Estep (Date of birth: Aug. 8, 1950; Date of death: Nov. 21, 2009)

▪  Marie S. Curry (Date of birth: Aug. 21, 1957; Date of death: Jan. 9, 2010)

▪  Carolyn Jamison (Date of birth: June 29, 1932; Date of death: Jan. 9, 2010)

▪  Gary E. Hollingsworth (Date of birth: June 13, 1950; Date of death: Nov. 21, 2009)

▪  Orlin Padilla (Date of birth: March 3, 1987; Date of death: June 29, 2014)

▪  Kevin Wright (Date of birth: Oct. 20, 1975; Date of death: Oct. 9, 2014)

▪  Trisha Upshaw (Date of birth: Nov. 9, 1971; Date of death: May 12, 2011)

▪  Crisoforo Martinez (Date of birth: April 25, 1974; Date of death: Aug. 5, 2007)

▪  James E. Corder (Date of birth: Dec. 9, 1946; Date of death: March 20, 2010)

▪  David C. Lawhorn (Date of birth: Nov. 7, 1946; Date of death: Feb. 14, 2013)

▪  Theodore C. Linder (Date of birth: Sept. 11, 1947; Date of death: June 19, 2014)

Fisher said if you are the legal next-of-kin for the decease person or have any information that may help in locating the next-of-kin, call the coroner’s office at (803) 359-8439, or visit the office, which is located at 117 Duffie Dr. in Lexington between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

If you are deemed by the coroner’s office to be the legal next-of-kin of the deceased person, you will need photo identification to pick up any personal effects or belongings. No information about the deceased persons will be given out over the phone or in person unless a legal next-of-kin has been verified. All personal belongings must be picked up in person.

Fisher also said the coroner’s office will not respond to any Facebook messages regarding personal property.