In December the coroner answered 20 calls, 18 in the community and two at South Central Correctional Center.
All deaths in the community were natural deaths, consisting of cancer, 4; respiratory disease, 3; Parkinson’s disease, 2; stroke, 2; liver disease, bowel obstruction, heart attack, kidney failure, seizure disorder, heart arrhythmia and complications related to use of Ozempic.
There were two deaths at the prison, one due to drug overdose and the second is pending an autopsy report.
As I leave office after my second term, this will be my last monthly report. I hope to have my annual report posted on the county website by the end of the month. Leaving the office of coroner necessitated my leaving my position on the governor’s Commission for Coroner Standards and Training, however I’ve recently been appointed to OSAC, a division of NIST (the National Institute of Science and Technology).
OSAC (the Organization of Forensic Area Committees for Forensic Science) strengthens the nation’s use of forensic science by facilitating the development and promoting the use of high-quality, technically sound standards. These standards define minimum requirements, best practices, standard protocols and other guidance to help ensure that the results of forensic analysis are reliable and reproducible.
I’ve worked very hard over the past eight years to improve the office of coroner by implementing best standards, widely increasing the use of toxicology in death investigations, digitizing records for improved collaboration with other agencies, and providing aftercare measures for families of decedents.
As a registered nurse, I am acutely aware of how the loss of a family member affects the health and healing of their loved ones, and most of all I’ve tried to bring healing intent to the role of coroner. It has truly been my honor to serve Texas County.