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Vernon County coroner Ben reports 26 deaths for month; autopsy costs rising
Summary
Coroner Ben told the board there were 26 deaths in the month (13 male, 13 female), 19 cremations and 7 burials, and said investigative and autopsy costs have increased; the report noted municipal revenue and expenses for the coroner's office.
Ben, the county coroner, presented the monthly coroner report and described workload and costs. "26 deaths, 13 are male, 13 female, 19 cremation, 7 burials," he told the board, and said that income for the month was $1,205 while monthly bills totaled $1,757.83. He said the office has already conducted more autopsies this year than in all of last year, driving up investigative costs.
Board members asked about autopsy costs and procedures; the coroner said a typical autopsy runs around $1,500 but varies by scope (head-only versus head and chest) and that toxicology costs are additional. He noted one recent case required coordination with law enforcement and a statutory autopsy process; further investigative work is ongoing and will be reflected in future reports.
