Beech Tree News Network

In 2014 there were 27 coroner calls made by the Butler County Coroner’s office and 13 provisional of death reports signed for cremations to be done.

Of the 27 calls made:
 20 were ruled natural deaths
13 provisional of deaths signed for cremation
4 ruled suicide
3 ruled accidental deaths- of those, 2 vehicle fatalities (2 drivers and 0 passengers), 1 house dwelling fire
In 2013 there were 26 calls made and 14 provisional of deaths signed for cremation. 
22 ruled natural
0 ruled suicide
2 ruled accidental overdoses
0 ruled drowning
0 fire death in family dwelling
1 vehicle fatality (1 driver and 0 passengers)
1 accidently only

So in 2014 natural deaths rose by two and cremation rates were down one with accidental overdoses going down to zero and vehicle fatality rising by one.  Fire deaths rose by 1 in 2014 there were no drowning or overdoses but suicides rose by four in 2014.  The number of autopsies and toxicology went from seven in 2013 to three in 2014.
Of the 26 calls made in 2014 there were three cases that required autopsies and toxicology to be done and there were five cases that required toxicology with no autopsy. 
Of all the deaths investigated in 2014 there were three that had a contributing factor of prescription drugs, alcohol, or some type of illegal drugs including methamphetamines, the same as 2013.
For cremation to be done the coroner or deputy coroner has to sign the provisional of death report in which the county of death occurred.  This is for the coroner’s office to be aware of the circumstances surrounding the death and to authorize the cremation.
In 2014 the Butler County Coroner’s office had its regular stated meeting with the Child Fatality Review Board.  This board is set up to investigate any death that occurs in Butler County that is under the age of 18.  This year the board reviewed no deaths.
Again in 2014 the coroner and deputy coroners received their 18 hours of training each to stay certified through the state of Kentucky.
Public Service Reminder:

• Anyone under the care of Hospice or Hosparus that passes away in Butler County 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, then it is considered a coroner call and then the coroner’s office must be notified and respond to the scene of death.

• Anyone transported to a hospital either by personal vehicle or by ambulance and passes away in the emergency room or is in the hospital less than 24 hours it is turned over to the coroner’s office in that county and 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 the 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 and to the Butler County EMS, the Butler County Sheriff’s Office, the Morgantown City Police, all of the Butler County Volunteer Fire Departments, the Butler County Rescue Squad, and the many people that go above and beyond to help their communities and neighbors in a time of need.  Without your fast response times, your dedication, and the advance training, I am certain these numbers would be higher." Gerald "Marty" Jones II

For anymore information concerning this report please contact Gerald “Marty” Jones, II at 270-999-0707.
Butler County Coroner Gerald “Marty” Jones II
Deputy Coroners Brian McKinney and Terry Hunt