Coroner
The Sheriff is also the County Coroner. The Patrol Deputy is also a Deputy Coroner. |
Per Government Code Section 27491:
It shall be the duty of the coroner to inquire into and determine the circumstances, manner, and cause of all violent, sudden, or unusual deaths; unattended deaths; deaths wherein the deceased has not been attended by a physician in the 20 days before death; deaths related to or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion; known or suspected homicide, suicide, or accidental poisoning; deaths known or suspected as resulting in whole or in part from or related to accident or injury either old or recent; deaths due to drowning, fire, hanging, gunshot, stabbing, cutting, exposure, starvation, acute alcoholism, drug addiction, strangulation, aspiration, or where the suspected cause of death is sudden infant death syndrome; death in whole or in part occasioned by criminal means; deaths associated with a known or alleged rape or crime against nature; deaths in prison or while under sentence; deaths known or suspected as due to contagious disease and constituting a public hazard; deaths from occupational diseases or occupational hazards; deaths of patients in state mental hospitals serving the mentally disabled and operated by the State Department of Mental Health; deaths of patients in state hospitals serving the developmentally disabled and operated by the State Department of Developmental Services; deaths under such circumstances as to afford a reasonable ground to suspect that the death was caused by the criminal act of another; and any deaths reported by physicians or other persons having knowledge of death for inquiry by coroner. Inquiry pursuant to this section does not include those investigative functions usually performed by other law enforcement agencies. In any case in which the coroner conducts an inquiry pursuant to this section, the coroner or a deputy shall personally sign the certificate of death. If the death occurred in a state hospital, the coroner shall forward a copy of his or her report to the state agency responsible for the state hospital. The coroner shall have discretion to determine the extent of inquiry to be made into any death occurring under natural circumstances and falling within the provisions of this section, and if inquiry determines that the physician of record has sufficient knowledge to reasonably state the cause of a death occurring under natural circumstances, the coroner may authorize that physician to sign the certificate of death.
Reportable Death
The Coroner positively identifies the deceased, determines the circumstances and cause of death, takes charge of any property found upon the body, and notifies the legal next of kin. The Coroner may investigate any death in the county. However, deaths resulting from long-term illness such as heart disease, Alzheimer's, diabetes, etc., and where an attending California licensed physician can state that the cause of death was natural, are not usually investigated by the Coroner.
A physician and surgeon, physician assistant, funeral director, or other person shall immediately notify the coroner when he or she has knowledge of a death that occurred or has charge of a body in which death occurred under any of the following circumstances:
1. Without medical attendance, which includes all deaths outside of hospitals or skilled nursing facilities.
2. Wherein the deceased had not been attended by a physician in the 20 days prior to death.
3. The attending physician is unable to render a reasonable opinion as to the cause of death.
4. When homicide is known or suspected.
5. When suicide is known or suspected.
6. When a criminal action is involved or suspected to be involved in the death.
7. Related to, or following known or suspected self-induced or criminal abortion.
8. Associated with a known or alleged rape or crime against nature.
9. Known or suspected as resulting in whole or in part from an accident or injury, either old or recent.
10. When aspiration, starvation, exposure, drug addiction or acute alcoholism is the known or suspected cause.
11. When poisoning is known or suspected.
12. When occupational disease or hazards are the known or suspected cause.
13. When a contagious disease is the known or suspected cause.
14. When death occurred while in-custody of a law enforcement agency or while in prison.
15. All deaths of State Hospital patients.
16. All Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) deaths.
17. Deaths during or related to surgery or surgical procedures, or following a surgery or surgical procedure if the deceased did not awake from the anesthetic.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Coroner involved in the death of my loved one?
State law (Govt. Code 27491) requires the Coroner to investigate all unnatural deaths, or deaths where the attending Medical Doctor is unable to state a cause of death as well as cases where the deceased has not been seen by a doctor for 20 days prior to death. Our responsibility is to establish positive identity of the deceased; cause and classification of death, determine the place, date and time; take charge of any property found upon the body: and notify next of kin. The Coroner's investigation is not limited to the examination of the deceased, but may include interviews with family members and other witnesses along with the collection of physical evidence at the death scene.
What type of personal information will the Coroner need about my loved one?
The Coroner will need vital information from you, as soon as possible, to comply with the State law explained in the previous question/answer above. See (or download) the list of questions here: 'Information Required by the Coroner'
(For additional information please see the 'Vial of Life' link below)
Where is my loved one being taken?
Your loved one will be transported one of the following:
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Brune Mortuary |
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FitzHenry’s Funeral Home 1380 Highway 395 Gardnerville, Nv. 89410 phone (775) 782-1999 |
The majority of individuals are taken to the Brune Mortuary due to several factors; although FitzHenry’s Funeral Home is used on a few occasions each year. The FitzHenry’s Funeral Home will only be used if your loved one resides in the northern portion of Mono County, and also if their personal physician can be contacted or we have information indicating that their physician is willing to sign the death certificate.
If there is any type of Coroner’s Investigation your loved one will be released as soon as possible.
What do I do now?
Contact the Brune Mortuary or FitzHenry’s Funeral Home as soon as possible. They are prepared to assist you in making your selections and decisions. They will work closely with us to arrange the release of your loved one's remains from their facility. They will also guide you in deciding how many certified copies of the death certificate that you will need and order them for you when they file their paperwork with the county.
Is an autopsy needed?
Autopsies are not always necessary with every death investigated by the coroner. Autopsies are performed only on those cases where it is required by law or where it is necessary to determine the cause of death.
Are there any Coroner fees?
All costs associated with the Coroner’s investigation and/or autopsy examination are covered by the County and not charged to the estate or the family members.
When can I have the funeral?
The Coroner investigation will be completed as soon as possible and should not delay your funeral plans.
Can I find out the cause of death?
Yes, in the majority of cases you can be told the cause of death within several days. Occasionally to determine the cause of death further studies such as microscopic and toxicological tests must be performed. In these instances a "Pending" death certificate is filed with the county so that funeral services can be completed without delay. When these further studies have been completed an amended death certificate is issued. "Pending" death certificates can be obtained through the County however, some financial, estate, probate or business matters may be dependent upon the final death certificate.
How do I get copies of the Death Certificate?
Certified copies of the Death Certificate initially are ordered for the family by the mortuary handling final arrangements. Additional copies also may be purchased directly from the Mono County Clerk-Recorder, Box 237, Bridgeport Ca. 93517; phone number is (760) 932-5240. There is a small charge for this service.
How do I get copies of Coroner records?
A copy of the coroner report can be obtained by contacting Shannon Kendall at the Mono County Sheriff/Coroner Department at (760) 932-5279. There could be a small charge for this service.
How do I contact the Coroner in charge of my loved one's case?
You can contact the Chief Deputy Coroner Monday – Friday 8a.m. to 4p.m. and he can identify the specific Deputy Coroner that is handling the case.
How do I reclaim property taken by the Coroner?
The Coroner may release property directly to the legal next of kin or any other person furnishing written authorization from the legal next of kin. Property often is released with the remains to the mortuary personnel.
Is a coroner’s investigation a public record?
Yes, with some exceptions. Coroner photographs, medical and psychological records, and information about ongoing criminal investigations are not released except upon receipt of a valid court order.
