Beech Tree News Network

Butler County Coroner Gerald M. "Marty" Jones II recently released statistics from his office for 2025.  

The Butler County Coroner's Office made 39 coroner calls in 2025 and signed 30 provisional death reports for cremation. 

69 calls were made:

30 ruled natural deaths.

30 provisional death reports were signed for cremation in 2025; this decreased by 1, with 31 in 2024.

3 ruled accidental deaths (vehicle-related)

1 ruled a farm-related accident

2 overdose deaths

2 suicides

1 homicide

No pending autopsy and or toxicology results as of January 1, 2025

Comparison of 2024-2025

In 2024, there were 33 calls made and 31 provisional deaths signed for cremation; 23 ruled natural death, and 2 ruled a suicide.

Three ruled accidental deaths (accidental vehicles or motorcycle-related.), three overdose deaths, one farm related, and one homicides.

So, in 2025, natural deaths increased by 7, and cremation rates decreased by 1, with overdoses decreasing by one and vehicle fatalities remained the same as did suicides, farm related accidents, and homicides. 

The number of autopsies and toxicology went from 11 in 2024 to 10 in 2025.

Of the 69 calls made, 5 cases required autopsies and toxicology reports to be done, and 5 cases required toxicology with no autopsy.

Of all the deaths investigated in 2025, six cases had factors that contributed to prescription drugs, alcohol, or illegal drugs, including meth. Deaths decreased by one in 2025 verses 7 in 2024.

 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 2025, 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.