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Muskegon County medical examiner reports fewer deaths, sharp rise in unclaimed remains
Summary
Dr. Andrew Hensma told the board Muskegon County's 2024 death investigations declined overall but unclaimed investigations rose to 63 from 21 the prior year; homicides numbered 13 (12 firearm-related). He described procedures for locating next of kin and disposition of unclaimed remains.
Dr. Andrew Hensma, the county medical examiner, presented Muskegon County's 2024 annual report to the board and said overall cases and deaths fell compared with earlier years while unclaimed investigations rose sharply. "Unclaimed investigations" totaled "63 compared to 21 last year," Hensma said, calling the increase "quite remarkable."
Hensma summarized causes and age breakdowns: most deaths were natural; there were five deaths reported under age 1 and other pediatric deaths that were fully investigated; he said there were 13 homicides in 2024, 12 of them involving firearms. On accidental deaths he said motor-vehicle and drug-related fatalities were prominent and fall-related fatalities were concentrated among older adults.
On drug-related deaths, Hensma noted a drop in the county's reported overdose deaths (a chart attendee referenced showed 75 in 2023 and 49 in 2024) and said he had heard a presentation from a peer who argued the nation may be moving out of the opioid epidemic. "We don't know that answer yet," Hensma said, adding that better availability of naloxone and other factors could be influencing survival from intoxication events.
Commissioners asked about the county's handling of unclaimed remains and related costs. Hensma said investigators work on-scene to identify next of kin and use subscription services and other resources; if a person is truly unclaimed, state paperwork is filed and the county arranges disposition. "If that person has any assets to liquidate, the state liquidates it to offset the cost, that body is cremated," he said, and the office periodically holds group ceremonies for unclaimed remains. He said funeral-home transport and any pickup fees are typically charged by the funeral home and the medical examiner's office generally tries to avoid imposing storage charges.
Hensma emphasized that pediatric deaths, even when manner is indeterminate, are investigated thoroughly and autopsied when indicated. The presentation material and charts referenced in Hensma's remarks were available to commissioners and on the county's report pages.
The board did not take a formal vote related to the report; the presentation concluded with commissioners thanking Hensma for the briefing. The board moved on to committee reports and other agenda items.
