Valley County coroner reports 98 county deaths in 2024, rising drug and vehicle-related fatalities among youngest victims

Valley County Coroner Scott Carter delivered his 2024 annual report to the Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 18, reporting that county records show 98 deaths occurred in Valley County in 2024 and that 48 of those were reported to the coroner’s office by hospitals or law enforcement. "Best we can tell with bridal records is we had 98 deaths that occurred in Valley County," Carter said.

Carter said he accepted jurisdiction in 43 of the 48 referred deaths, released five as non-jurisdictional because they were certified by a physician as natural deaths, and that 16 of the accepted cases received autopsies. Of the 43 jurisdictional deaths, 23 were natural, 15 accidental, one suicide and one homicide; two remained classified as undetermined and one pending case (from a December death) was awaiting laboratory results.

The coroner highlighted drug-related deaths as a troubling trend, particularly among…