Beech Tree News Network

In 2013 there were 26 coroner calls made by the Butler County Coroner’s office and 14 provisional of death reports signed for cremations to be done.
Of the 26 calls made:
 22 were ruled natural deaths
14 provisional of deaths signed for cremation
4 ruled accidental deaths- of those, 1 vehicle fatalities (1 driver and 0 passengers), 2 accidential overdose deaths, and 1 accidental only
In 2012 there were 35 calls made and 10 provisional of deaths signed for cremation. 
23 ruled natural
4 ruled suicide
5 ruled accidental overdoses
1 ruled drowning
1 fire death in family dwelling
1 vehicle fatality

So in 2013 natural deaths and cremation rates were up with accidental overdoses going down and vehicle fatality staying the same.  There were no fire deaths, drowning, or suicides in 2013.  The number of autopsies and toxicology went from 13 in 2012 to 7 in 2013.
Of the 26 calls made there were 2 cases that required autopsies and toxicology to be done and there were 5 cases that toxicology with no autopsy.  Of all the deaths investigated in 2013 there were 3 that had a contributing factor of prescription drugs, alcohol, or some type of illegal drugs including methamphetamines, verses 12 in 2012.
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 2013 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 2013 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.
For anymore information concerning this report please contact Gerald “Marty” Jones, I at 270-999-0707.
Butler County Coroner Gerald “Marty” Jones II
Deputy Coroners Brian McKinney and Terry Hunt