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Fremont County coroner reports rise in non‑natural deaths, alcohol remains leading substance
Summary
The county coroner gave an end‑of‑year report showing an increase in non‑natural deaths in 2024, with alcohol the most common substance involved and a rise in marijuana‑involved fatalities; autopsy workload and revenue also increased.
The Fremont County coroner presented the office’s 2024 end‑of‑year summary to the Fremont County Board of Commissioners, reporting an increase in non‑natural deaths and a heavier autopsy workload.
The coroner said the office handled 183 notifications for investigation or referral in 2024 and accepted 168 cases for investigation, up from the previous year. Of those, 62 were classified as non‑natural (accident, homicide, suicide, or undetermined), an increase of 12 from 2023. Accidental deaths totaled 39, with motor vehicle crashes and fall trauma cited as leading causes.
The coroner told commissioners that deaths involving drugs or alcohol accounted for 54 of the 168 cases (about 32 percent). Alcohol was the primary substance in 34 cases (62 percent of substance‑involved deaths), methamphetamine appeared in 11 cases, and marijuana was listed in 15 cases — an increase from 2023. Fentanyl and other opioids were reported in fewer cases.
Suicides rose to 13 in 2024, and homicides numbered seven — four more than in 2023. The report noted 10 motor‑vehicle fatalities in 2024 and said that in five of those cases drugs or alcohol were a contributing factor; only two occupants were reported to have been using restraints.
The coroner also described the office’s workload and revenue. The office performed 34 autopsies for Fremont County cases and 42 contractual autopsies for surrounding counties. Revenue billed for the calendar year was reported at $8,400,071 (figure provided in the presentation). Overtime was reported at 24.3 percent and the budgeted salary for Dr. Frost was at 65.7 percent, items the coroner flagged for future budget discussion.
The coroner said the office responded to deaths across the county, with the largest number of responses in Riverton (71) and Lander (39). The coroner said some contract autopsy work increased unexpectedly after a neighboring county ceased using an out‑of‑state provider.
Commissioners acknowledged the report and asked for follow‑up on budget impacts and plans for a phased approach to improvements at a newly purchased facility described by the coroner.
The coroner’s presentation included detailed cause‑of‑death breakdowns, locations of responses, and the mix of substances identified in cases; the coroner said staff would meet with the intertribal council to review numbers and coordinate countywide prevention efforts.
