Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Coroner Gerald M. "Marty" Jones II recently released statistics from his office for 2024.  

The Butler County Coroner's Office made 33 coroner calls in 2024 and signed 31 provisional death reports for cremation. 

66 calls were made:

• 23 ruled natural deaths.
• 31 provisional death reports were signed for cremation in 2024; this increased by 4, with 27 in 2023.
• 3 ruled accidental deaths (vehicle-related)
• 1 ruled a farm-related accident
• 0 Fire-related death (structure fire)
• 3 overdose deaths
• 2 suicides
• 1 homicide
• No pending autopsy and or toxicology results as of January 1, 2025

Comparison of 2023-2024

In 2023, there were 43 calls made and 27 provisional deaths signed for cremation; 32 ruled natural death, and 3 ruled a suicide.

Four ruled accidental deaths (accidental vehicles or motorcycle-related.), two overdose deaths, and no homicides. One ruled undetermined after an autopsy was completed.

So, in 2024, natural deaths increased by 9, and cremation rates increased by 4, with overdoses increasing by one and vehicle fatalities decreasing by 1. Suicide decreased by 1, and homicides increased by 1. Farm accident deaths increased by 1.

The number of autopsies and toxicology went from 12 in 2023 to 11 in 2024.

Of the 64 calls made, 5 cases required autopsies and toxicology reports to be done, and 6 cases required toxicology with no autopsy.

Of all the deaths investigated in 2024, 7 cases had factors that contributed to prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs, including meth.

For cremation, the coroner or deputy coroner has to sign the provisional death report in the county where the death occurred. This is so the coroner's office is aware of the death circumstances and authorizes the cremation.

In 2024, the Butler County Coroner's Office regularly met with the child fatality review board. This board is required to investigate any death in Butler County under 18. There were no deaths to review in 2024.

The Coroner and Deputy Coroners received 18 hours of training each to stay certified through Kentucky; training hours were completed in a classroom in Louisville, KY.  

Public Service Reminder:

• Anyone under the care of Hospice or Hosparus who passes away in Butler County is not considered a coroner call and is not required to have the coroner or deputy coroner respond to the location of death unless the death occurred from something other than natural. It is considered a coroner call, and the Coroner's Office must be notified and respond to the death scene.
• Anyone transported to the 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 trusting 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 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 at 270-999-0707.