Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Coroner Gerald M. "Marty" Jones II recently released statistics from his office for 2021.   

In 2021 there were 42 coroner calls made by the Butler County Coroner's Office and 31 provisional death reports signed for a cremation to be done.

Seventy-three calls made of them:

• 31 were ruled natural deaths.
• Thirty-one provisional deaths were signed for cremation in 2021; this decreased by 6, with 37 in 2020.
• 2 ruled accidental deaths (vehicle related)
• Two overdose death
• 4 homicides and 1 suicide occurred in Butler County in 2021
• 2 pending Autopsy and or toxicology results as of Jan. 2022

Comparison of 2020-2021

In 2020 there was 36 calls made and 37 provisional deaths signed for cremation, 26 ruled natural death, and 5 ruled suicides.

2 ruled accidental deaths (accidental vehicles or motorcycle related.)

So, in 2021 natural deaths increased by 5, and cremation rates decreased by 6, with overdoses increasing by 1, and vehicle fatalities staying the same at 2. Suicide decreased by 4, and homicides increased by 3 and we have 2 pending at this time. The number of autopsies and toxicology went from 10 in 2020 to 12 in 2021.

Of the 73 calls made, 6 cases required autopsies and toxicology to be done, and 6 cases required toxicology with no autopsy.

Of all the deaths investigated in 2021, 11 factors contributed to prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs, including meth. This increased by 5 in 2021 verses 2020.

For cremation, the coroner or deputy coroner has to sign the provisional death report in which the county of death occurred. This is for the coroner's office to be aware of the death circumstances and authorize the cremation.

In 2021 the Butler County Coroner's Office had its regular stated meeting with the child fatality review board. This board required to investigate any death in Butler County under the age of 18. There were no deaths to review in 2021.

In 2021, the Coroner and Deputy Coroner received 18 hours of training each to stay certified through Kentucky. Training hours were done in classroom in Louisville, KY.  

Public Service Reminder:

• Anyone under the care of Hospice or Hosparus that passes away in Butler Co. is not considered a coroner call and is not required to have the coroner or deputy coroner to respond to the location of death unless the death occurred from something other than natural. It is considered a coroner call, and then the Coroner's Office must be notified and respond to the scene of death.
• Anyone transported hospital either by personal vehicle or by ambulance and passes away in the emergency room or is in the hospital in less than 24 hours is turned over to the coroner's office in that county. If they are under the age of 18, the county in which the death occurred and the county in which the accident took place work together in reviewing the death through child fatality review boards.

"On behalf of the Coroner's Office, I would like to thank the people of Butler County for putting their trust in me to be the Butler County Coroner. Special thanks to the Butler County EMS, Sheriff's Office, Morgantown City Police, all Volunteer Fire Departments, the Butler County Rescue Squad, and the many individuals who go above and beyond to help their communities and neighbors in a time of need. Without your quick response times, dedication, and advanced training, I am certain our numbers would be much higher," said Jones.

For additional information concerning this report, please contact Gerald "Marty" Jones II @ 270-999-0707.