(a) By virtue of his or her office, the sheriff shall be public administrator in his or her county.
(b) It shall be the duty of the public administrator to take custody of all property of every kind in the county belonging to a deceased person if:
(1) The person dies or is found dead in the county without known spouse or next of kin and no qualified person petitions the court for grant of administration;
(2) The person, though dying elsewhere, leaves any property in the county which is exposed to loss or damage or is not in the custody of some responsible person; or
(3) For any other reason, the circuit court shall direct him or her to take custody of property.