Pierce County Medical Examiner Thomas Clark released the following statement regarding an error made in identifying a body in a death investigation:

On March 14, a woman crossing a street in Spanaway was struck by a pickup truck. The victim was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. She had no identification.

The hospital reported the death to the Medical Examiner’s Office. The hospital also reported contact with a man who said his friend was missing, and that she had a distinctive tattoo. Through a misunderstanding involving several members of our staff, it was assumed the described tattoo belonged to the missing person, but it actually was a description of the tattoo on the body. The Medical Examiner then identified the victim as Samantha Kennedy.

We learned today that the identification was incorrect. The victim has been correctly identified as Jade Nicole Aubrey-Peterson, 25 of Pierce County. Her next of kin have been notified.

It is not uncommon for cases to arrive without identification. The Medical Examiner, who receives approximately 2,000 death notifications a year, has protocols for verifying identities. Those protocols include scientific methods, such as fingerprints, DNA and dental records, but those are not used unless necessary because they are time-consuming, expensive and create delays that are burdensome on families. In most cases, identification can be resolved by driver’s licenses and family identification of distinctive features, such as tattoos.

We are reviewing the circumstances and will adjust our practices.

Ms. Kennedy’s family is concerned and continues to search for her. We are doing what we can to support both families.