Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Coroner Gerald M. "Marty" Jones II recently released statistics from his office for 2020.   

In 2020 there were 36 coroner calls made by the Butler County Coroner's Office and 37 provisional death reports signed for a cremation to be done.

Seventy-three calls made of them:

• 26 were ruled natural deaths.
• Thirty-seven provisional deaths were signed for cremation in 2020; this increased by 8, with 29 in 2019.
• 2 ruled accidental deaths (2 vehicles or motorcycle related)
• One overdose death
• One homicide and five suicides occurred in Butler County in 2020
• One death ruled undetermined.

Comparison of 2019-2020

In 2019 there was 32 calls made and 29 provisional deaths signed for cremation, 26 ruled natural death, and there were no suicides.

6 ruled accidental deaths (4 accidental vehicles or motorcycle related, one house dwelling fire, and one accidental farm-related)

So, in 2020 natural deaths decreased by three, and cremation rates increased by 8, with overdoses decreasing by two and vehicle fatalities decreasing by 2. Suicide increased by 5, and homicides rose by 1 in 2020. The number of autopsies and toxicology went from 4 in 2019 to 10 in 2020.

Of the 73 calls made, 3 cases required autopsies and toxicology to be done, and 7 cases required toxicology with no autopsy.

Of all the deaths investigated in 2020, six factors contributed to prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs, including meth. This was the same number as in 2019.

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 2020 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 2020.

In 2020, the Coroner and Deputy Coroner received 18 hours of training each to stay certified through Kentucky. Training hours were done virtually in 2020 due to Covid-19.

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.