A written finding of presumed death, made by the secretary of the army, the secretary of the navy, the secretary of the air force, or other officer or employee of the United States authorized to make such finding, pursuant to the federal Missing Persons Act, 5 U.S.C. § 5561 et seq., as now or hereafter amended, or a duly certified copy of such finding shall be received in any court, office, or other place in this state as prima facie evidence of the death of the person therein found to be dead, and the date, circumstances, and place of his or her disappearance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 9-19-19