Coroner's Office
Coroner: Hayley Thompson
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office assumes jurisdiction on certain categories of deaths that occur within the geographical boundaries of the county. This is regardless of whether the decedent is a resident of the county. Those Skagit County residents who die in another county do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Skagit County Coroner. Only the Coroner can certify a death that is not considered to be natural (accident, suicide, homicide, or undetermined).
The role of the Coroner in such deaths is to investigate the facts and circumstances concerning the death for the purpose of determining the cause and manner of death. An autopsy may be required depending upon the circumstances of the death. Not all deaths that occur in the county are required to be reported to the office, nor are all deaths where jurisdiction is assumed require an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death. An autopsy is performed only when it is necessary to determine or confirm the cause of death, document injury, or when required by state law. The Skagit County Coroner’s Office has an important public health role in bringing causes and manners of deaths to the attention of the public and many involved agencies. The Coroner’s Office works with community partners to adopt a proactive approach to reducing preventable deaths such as drug-related deaths as well as suicides.
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