Stillborn among 4 bodies abandoned at Lake County morgue

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Updated: March 1, 2012 8:45AM

CROWN POINT — Four bodies lie abandoned and forgotten at the Lake County morgue.

Attempts by Chief Deputy Coroner P.J. Adams to reach relatives have failed.

“We’re running out of room here. Reaching out through the newspaper is our last shot to have these people claimed by family members,” Adams said.

Although financial assistance for funerals is available through township trustees, the paperwork must be submitted by a relative of the deceased person.

For the four bodies languishing at the morgue, no one has responded to letters sent to the addresses where they had been living.

If no one claims them in the next two weeks, Adams said he will approach the Lake County auditor about providing funds for cremation or burial.

“It will probably be cremation, it’s more cost effective,” Adams said.

The four facing public-funded disposal are:

Allan Tichansky, 63, found dead Oct. 7, at his home, 8518 Locust Ave, Gary. Tichansky had been dead for more than a year when his decomposed body was found. Adams said he may have two sisters, Arlene and Cynthia.

Steven Worland, 51, died of natural causes Sept. 17, at Miller Beach Terrace residential facility.

Baby Girl Thompson, stillborn, Oct. 21 at Community Hospital in Munster.

Yanqiong Yao, 74, died Oct. 26 when she was struck by a train in the 1800 block of Lake Avenue in Hammond.

“We’re hoping someone will step up and give them a decent burial,” Adams said.

Adams can be reached at 755-3265.

Reach Lori Caldwell at 648-3258.