What happens if there is no legal next of kin or an identity cannot be established?
After the investigation is competed we release the personal effects (clothes, furniture, money, jewelry, cars, etc) to the next of kin, if one can be located. If no next-of-kin can be immediately located (whether due to a lack of surviving relatives or an inability to identify the deceased) the possessions of the deceased remain in the custody of our office for up to one year or until next of kin are located. The Coroner assumes the responsibility for arranging burial and Rock County pays the expenses of that burial. If the identity of the deceased is established and no next-of-kin are located, after one year, Rock County sells your possessions at auction and the funds are placed in the county treasury. Identification of the deceased is very important and every effort is made to determine the identity of the deceased. Our office works in conjunction with local law enforcement personnel, forensic scientists and others making every possible attempt to determine the identity of the deceas
