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OFFICE OF THE LEE COUNTY CORONER

Our Mission

The primary responsibility of the Lee County Coroner’s Office is to investigate, determine, and certify the cause and manner of death of those who have died under unattended, unlawful, suspicious, or violent circumstances in Lee County or in instances which the events related to a person’s death originated in Lee County.

Authority

The Coroner and appointed Deputy Coroner’s have authority granted by Code of Alabama, 1975, § 11-5-1, et seq.; § 45-41-6; et al.

As an Elected Official, the Coroner and the Office of the Coroner operate independently from the County Commission and other government agencies. However, per state law the office is funded by the Lee County Commission.

Operations

The Coroner and/or a Deputy Coroner along with support staff are on duty 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

DEATH INVESTIGATIONS

Death Investigations

The Lee County Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden and unexpected deaths, especially those that occur under violent or suspicious circumstances.

The following examples are a just a few of the many different types of deaths that may be investigated by the Lee County Coroner’s Office:

Persons who died from a disease that may constitute a threat to the health of the general public

Persons who died from violence, an unexplained cause, or under suspicious circumstances

Persons who died and no physician was in attendance, or where, though in attendance, the physician is unable to certify the cause of death

Persons who died while in the custody of law enforcement officials or while incarcerated in a public institution

Persons who died suddenly and were in apparent good health

Persons who died in a hospital less than 24 hours after admission

Persons who death is suspected to be related to intoxication by drugs and/or alcohol

Persons who death is due to neglect or suspected neglect

Any death of an infant or child without an established significant pre-existing condition

Unidentified & Unclaimed Decedents

Information on Unidentified & Unclaimed Decedents in the Custody of the Lee County Coroner’s Office can be found at:

https://unclaimed.leecountyalcoroner.gov

AUTOPSY

Forensic Autopsy

The decision to order an autopsy is made on a case-by-case basis in consultation with our Law Enforcement Partners and the Lee County District Attorney based upon the circumstances of the death.

Not all death investigations result in an Autopsy being performed.

When needed autopsies are performed by the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences Montgomery Medical Facility.

Private Autopsy

In cases where we will not be performing an autopsy, individual’s or family’s may have a private autopsy performed. You can find a list of providers here.

Autopsy & Toxicology Reports

Autopsy and/or Toxicology report(s) cannot be issued until the ADFS case is complete and all pending criminal investigations are complete. Once all investigations and criminal matters are complete, reports may be obtained from ADFS by visiting their website.

DEATH CERTIFICATES

How to Obtain a Death Certificate

Death Certificates can only be obtained through your funeral home or the Alabama Department of Public Health. Please visit ADPH Vital Records website for more information.

Restrictions on Release

By Alabama law, death certificates are confidential records with restricted access for 25 years from the date of death. Death certificates more than 25 years old may be obtained by anyone upon payment of the proper fee.

Death certificates less than 25 years old may be obtained by the following persons, upon payment of the proper fee:

Mother or father of person named on certificate

Husband or wife of person named on certificate

Son or daughter of person named on certificate

Sister or brother of person named on certificate

Grandchild of person named on certificate when demonstrating entitlement

Legal representative of family or estate

Informant listed on death certificate as providing information

GRIEF SUPPORT

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT ARE THE OPERATING HOURS OF THE LEE COUNTY CORONER’S OFFICE?

The Lee County Coroner’s Office business hours are Monday-Friday from 9am to 4pm central time. Our business office is closed on all local, state, and federal holidays.

Our office responds to death calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Due to the nature of our work we are not always in the office during business hours. Please call before visiting our office.

WHEN WILL MY LOVED ONE BE RELEASED TO THE FUNERAL HOME?

If an autopsy or medical records are not required the Coroner’s Office may release directly to the funeral home of your choice.

If an autopsy or additional investigation is required then the release will occur immediately upon completion of the autopsy and/or investigation.

WHEN WILL THE DEATH CERTIFICATE BE COMPLETED?

Typically Death Certificates are completed within 24 hours of being sent to our office for signature from the funeral home.

If medical records have been requested then the Death Certificate will not be signed until the Coroner receives, reviews, and determines the cause of death.

If an autopsy has been requested then the Death Certificate will be completed once we receive the report on the autopsy from ADFS.

In cases where the death certificate is delayed due to medical records and/or autopsy, we can issue you a “pending” death certificate, however, we strongly urge you to discuss the limitations of use for pending death certificates with your funeral home prior to purchasing them.

WHERE CAN I GET A COPY OF A DEATH CERTIFICATE?

Unfortunately, the Coroner’s Office has no way to print a death certificate. You will need to contact your funeral home or any health department in the State of Alabama.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR AN AUTOPSY OR TOXICOLOGY REPORT TO COME BACK?

Unfortunately, every case is different. Typically reports come back in about 90 days, however it could be longer or shorter depending on the specifics of each case and the current case load at ADFS.

CAN YOU RECOMMEND A FUNERAL HOME OR CREMATION SERVICE?

It would be a unethical for anyone associated with the Coroner’s Office to recommend a specific funeral home or cremation provider. Thankfully, there are many fine funeral homes and cremation services in our area that can be found using google or another web search engine.

DOES THE STATE AND/OR COUNTY HAVE A PROGRAM FOR INDIGENT BURIALS?

Unfortunately, the neither the state or county has an indigent burial program. If you have questions about the final disposition of a loved one please contact the Coroner’s Office as soon as possible.

CAN I VIEW MY LOVED ONE AT THE CORONER’S OFFICE?

Unfortunately, the Coroner’s Office is not designed to handle visitations or viewings. Arrangements for viewing at the funeral home should be made with the funeral director

WHERE CAN I LEARN MORE ABOUT WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING WITH THE CORONER’S OFFICE?

When we have opening, all of our available positions are posted on the Lee County Human Resources Page.

If your interested in Volunteering, please contact us at [email protected]

ANNUAL REPORT

Lee County Coroner’s Office Annual Report

The Lee County Coroner’s Office publishes an annual report each year. These reports are posted online for public review.