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Brown County coroner reports 81 death investigations this year; details staffing, autopsies and equipment
Summary
Brown County Coroner Brian Kones told the commission he completed 81 death investigations, 10 toxicology blood draws and 8 autopsies this year, described equipment purchases and praised interagency cooperation for autopsies in Sioux Falls.
Brian Kones, identified as the Brown County coroner, provided the commission with an annual operations update covering caseload, staffing and equipment.
Kones said his office had completed 81 death investigations year-to-date, including 10 blood draws for toxicology and 8 autopsies. He added that the office had produced separate reports for seven violent deaths and two unintentional drug-overdose reports. Kones told commissioners he completed about 40 hours of training this year and described limited on-call pay usage — he said deputies drew on-call pay for four days at a total of $200.
Kones described recent equipment acquisitions that he said aided operations, including a new van (used to transport decedents), a new gurney and a scoop. He said the van’s availability improved response and reduced the number of cold-weather operational delays. Kones also described coordination with Sioux Falls for autopsies and with local funeral directors; he said conducting autopsies in Sioux Falls and returning the decedent to Brown County saved time and expense for families.
Commissioners thanked Kones for cultivating working relationships with the city and the state's attorney's office and for keeping the commission informed; Kones said he would continue to provide updates to commissioners once or twice a year.
The commission did not take formal action on the coroner’s report; the presentation was accepted for the record.
