Watch CBS News

Kane Coroner Finds Relative Of Unclaimed Woman, In Australia

Remains Of Australian Makes Journey Home From Kane County

(CBS) -- A nurse who lived in Kane County and died several years ago had been unclaimed, but her cremated remains have now been turned over to relatives thousands of miles away.

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell has been searching for the families of several dozen people -- all deceased, all unclaimed.

Two years ago, he released the names of the unclaimed to the news media. Nine thousand miles away in Australia, a woman recognized one of the names as her cousin's.

Now the remains of Margaret Prosser have been sent to an area near Sydney, Australia, and Coroner Russell says the cousin in Australia has given Ms. Prosser a proper burial.

"In early August she did send a picture of the headstone and said she was very delighted and very proud to be able to do this for her long-lost cousin.  It was just nice to see that," he says.

Russell says Margaret Prosser came to America several years ago and was a nurse here.  She died in 2007 at the age of 95.

Australia Headstone
The headstone of Margaret Prosser (courtesy: Kane County Coroner)
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.