In a poignant development ahead of the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, authorities have confirmed the identity of Dorothy Taquino, an 81-year-old victim who perished during the catastrophic storm. On September 12, 2005, police found Taquino’s corpse in her residence. This home on Hayes St was flooded in the majority-Black suburb of Arabi, near New Orleans. Her identification represents a long-awaited step toward providing closure to her family and a long-overdue tribute to her life.
Dorothy Taquino continued living on her own in her Arabi home after losing her husband. She was not the only one—and tragically far from the last—who lost her life amid the disorder and devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Waveland, MS, after Katrina This storm destroyed the lives of thousands across Louisiana and Mississippi. The nature of the disaster’s aftermath resulted in many victims remaining unidentified for decades. Her remains now lie next to those of 83 other unnamed victims at the Hurricane Katrina memorial in St. Rita’s Cemetery outside New Orleans City Park.
The identification process was complex and multifaceted. Authorities verified Taquino’s identity through a variety of documents. They featured her high school diploma and a physical description of the jewelry she was wearing. She had on a necklace that was inscribed with “Joseph Kohn High School.” Yet, this small detail perfectly mirrored the inscription on her diploma.
Ray Theriot, the coroner in charge of the case, relied on utility bills, driver’s license databases, and property records. These documents verified that Taquino resided at the Arabi address where she was located. This example of her identity being investigated was exposed by the great reporting by WWL Louisiana. Her niece, Jean Driggers, submitted a genetic sample to assist in confirming her identity. The sample proved too small for a positive identification.
Dorothy Taquino’s remains were first taken to a makeshift morgue in St. Gabriel, Louisiana. She was not alone, as she joined hundreds of others at that site. After years without knowing, the announcement that she’d finally been identified has brought a sense of relief to both Driggers and her family.
“All I can say is that she’s finally going to be where she belongs.” – Jean Driggers
This quote really conveys the emotional impact of that discovery for Driggers. She has touched for closure about her aunt’s fate for years. As preparations for memorials and commemorations for Hurricane Katrina’s 20th anniversary take shape, Taquino’s story serves as a reminder of the personal tragedies intertwined within the broader narrative of loss and resilience experienced by survivors and families affected by the storm.
Advocacy experience Driggers looked back on her long journey to get answers about her aunt’s fate. She expressed her feelings about the long wait for identification saying, “if you love something, you have to let it go.” Her words ring true to everyone who’s lost so much, or been left guessing after a hurricane or flood.