2023-05-02 Coroner updateCoroner’s Office Update
May 2, 2023
11:30 a.m.
Present: Commissioner Swope, Commissioner Brummer, Commissioner Pollock, Warren McLeod,
Stephen Wilson, Becky Butler
Guest(s): None
Recorder: Rieva Lester
Public comment: None.
Agenda change: Commissioner Pollock made a motion to add correspondence as a topic agenda.
Commissioner Brummer seconded. Motion passed 3-0.
Year-to-date cases: Warren McLeod said the Coroner’s Office has responded to 301 deaths year to date,
including:
• 3 homicides
• 10 suicides
• 18 accidental deaths, including 14 that were drug-related deaths
• 1 undetermined case
• 6 pending
• 262 natural deaths
Warren discussed the prevalence of fentanyl and meth.
Reaccreditation: Warren said the accreditation audit for the Coroner’s Office has been rescheduled for
the end of May.
Legislative update: Warren said it appears the Legislature has approved a bill that provides $400,000 in
funding for forensic pathologist services.
Mock crash: Warren discussed the April 28 mock trial at Mossyrock during which various entities
worked with Mossyrock High School students to simulate a distracted-driving accident in which teens
were injured and one teen died.
Warren said the Coroner’s Office is awaiting grant funding for a new pneumatic lift.
Correspondence: Commissioner Pollock discussed an email and voicemails from a New York Times
reporter seeking comment regarding a Sheriff’s Office program.
Meeting ended at 11:50 a.m.