Beech Tree News Network

In 2022 there were 35 coroner calls made by the Butler County Coroner's Office and 33 provisional death reports signed for a cremation to be done.

68 calls made:

23 ruled natural deaths

33 provisional deaths signed for cremation in 2022; this increased by 2 with 31 in 2021

6 ruled accidental deaths (vehicle related)

Five overdose deaths

One homicide and 0 suicides occurred in Butler County in 2022

0 pending autopsy and or toxicology results as of Jan. 1, 2023

Comparison of 2021-2022

In 2021 there were 42 calls made and 31 provisional deaths signed for cremation.

31 ruled natural

1 ruled suicide

2 ruled accidental deaths (accidental vehicle or motorcycle related)

So in 2022, natural deaths decreased by 8, cremation rates increased by 2, overdoses increased by 3, and vehicle fatalities increased by 4. Suicides decreased by 1, and homicides decreased by 3. The number of autopsies and toxicology went from 12 in 2021 to 11 in 2022.

Of the 68 calls made, 9 cases required autopsies and toxicology, and 2 cases required toxicology with no autopsy.

Of all the deaths investigated in 2022, there were 5 that had a contributing factor of prescription drugs, alcohol, or some illegal drugs, including meth. However, this decreased by 6 in 2022 versus 2021.

For cremation, the coroner or deputy coroner must sign the provisional 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 2022, Butler County Coroner's Office regularly met with the Child Fatality Review Board. This board is set up to investigate any death in Butler County under the age of 18. This year we reviewed one death.

Again in 2022, the coroner and deputy coroners received 18 hours of training each to stay certified through Kentucky. Furthermore, training hours were done in the classroom in Louisville, KY.

Public Service Reminder:

Anyone under the care of Hospice or Hosparus that passes away in Butler County is not considered a coroner call. Therefore, the coroner or deputy coroner is not required 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 by personal vehicle or ambulance and passes away in the emergency room or is in the hospital less than 24 hours is turned over to the Coroner's Office in that county. If they are under 18, the county where the death occurred and the county where the accident occurred 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 as the Butler County Coroner. In addition, I want to thank to the Butler County EMS,  Butler County Sheriff's Office, Morgantown City Police, all of Butler County's Volunteer Fire Departments, and 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 advanced training you have, I am confident these numbers would be a lot higher," said Jones.

For more information concerning this report, don't hesitate to contact Gerald "Marty" Jones II at (270)999-0707.