ADLC Coroner's Office

02/18/2026

01/25/2026

Medicolegal Death Investigation Professionals Week begins today 💫

From January 25-31, 2026, we recognize and honor the medicolegal death investigation professionals who serve their communities with integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication.

Often working behind the scenes and in challenging circumstances, these professionals play a vital role in public health, public safety, and the pursuit of justice. Their commitment to excellence and professionalism makes a lasting impact every day.

This week, we celebrate you. Thank you for all that you do.

— International Association of Coroners & Medical Examiners

12/16/2025

US Dept of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Missoula, MT 6633 Aviation Way Missoula, MT 59808-9381 (406) 329-4840 Comments? Questions? Please Contact Us.

12/11/2025

When someone dies unexpectedly, what happens in the first few minutes matters more than most people realize.

Most will never stand in the moments others know so well - the quiet before responders arrive, the air heavy with shock, fear, and the weight of a life that has just changed forever. But those first moments matter.

When someone dies, the scene becomes their last story… and sometimes, the only voice they have left. Don’t touch anything! A covered body, a moved item, a cleaned surface, or even a social media post can alter the investigation, delay next-of-kin notifications, or unintentionally destroy critical information.

This visual breaks down the most important things to do - and not do - while waiting for responders:

Call 911 immediately.
Because help and clarity begin with that call.

Do not touch or cover the body.
Not out of coldness — but out of respect for the story the body still holds.

Do not clean or move anything - Even the smallest item out of place can change a family’s answers.

Leave the thermostat alone - Temperature is evidence. And evidence is closure.

Do not post on social media before next of kin are notified - No family should learn about their worst moment from a screen.

Secure the scene - So when we arrive, we can do the job the way it deserves to be done.

These steps protect the integrity of the investigation, the truth of what happened, and the dignity of the person who has died.

Those of us in death investigation know the sacredness of that space - part science, part humanity, part bearing witness to someone’s final chapter.

If the public understood how much these simple steps protect the truth - and protect families - we’d all be able to serve them even better.

Most people will never be taught this information - until the moment they need it.

Last Responder exists to make sure the public knows what to do and why it matters.

09/30/2025

Our office is hiring! Click the link at the bottom of this post for more information.

This position closes on Friday, Octobet 10, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

DEPUTY COUNTY CORONER

This position is under the direction of the ADLC Coroner. Position remains on call 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Applicant must be able to take calls during days and evening hours. Minimum qualifications include a High School Diploma or GED equivalent with some knowledge of medical terminology and procedures. Must attend a 40 hour basic coroner course schooling and must attend a 16-hour advance coroner class every two (2) years. This person must possess a valid Montana Driver’s License. This person must have the computer skills including the ability to use Word, Power Point and Excel, must have the ability to use digital cameras and the ability to use office production equipment. This person must have the ability to conduct investigations, determine death, lift heavy bodies, and work in unpleasant surroundings.

A complete job description is available by clicking the link below. It is expected the position will be filled as soon as possible. Salary is established at $60.44 per call. Applications will be accepted at the Chief Executive’s Office, Courthouse, 800 Main Street, Anaconda, MT 59711. The deadline for submitting an application is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Octobet 10, 2025.

https://www.adlc.us/Jobs.aspx?UniqueId=98&From=All&CommunityJobs=False&JobID=Deputy-County-Coroner-191

01/22/2024

Thank you to all the Coroners and MDIs for all that you do!

01/24/2023

Medicolegal Recognition Week starts January 23, 2023! We look forward to celebrating all medicolegal professionals and those who support you! What are you or your office doing to celebrate?

01/27/2022

Thank you to our staff and all medicolegal death investigators in Montana and across the country for all you do on a daily basis.

Today is the start of Coroner and MDI Recognition Week. This was created to bring recognition and awareness to an industry so often overlooked. Coroners, medical examiners, medicolegal death investigators, deputy coroners...all part of a very niche industry that sees more tragedy than even fathomable.

Thank you to all of my co-workers, past and present.

There are days it feels like too much. Then I remember that I am entrusted with the responsibility to be the voice of those who can no longer speak. To find the answers the families so desperately seek. I wear that entrustment like a badge of honor. When someone takes the time out of their lives, in the midst of dealing with their tragedy, to write me a letter and simply say thank you, it’s little things like that which remind me why I do what I do.

If you know a last responder, reach out to them this week and show them love and support as well and let them know they aren't alone!
💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤

Death Investigators,

I see you:

To the death investigator waking up shaking, having nightmares about your last scene, I see you.

To the death investigator knocking on a door at 03:00 to give a family the worst news of their lives, I see you.

To the death investigator trying to pick up that mother off the floor as she screams and cries, I see you.

To the death investigator pulling away from a scene just to pull over around the block, out of view - so you can cry for a while, I see you.

To the death investigator looking for evidence in a filthy drug house, while trying not to be stuck by a dirty needle, I see you.

To the death investigator called to an ER scene, interviewing a family that prayed their loved one would survive, I see you.

To the death investigator attempting to maintain composure as you stand questioning parents about the sudden death of their infant and having to ask them to place the doll in the position in which they last saw their child alive, I see you.

To the death investigator searching for a young persons Facebook profile in an attempting to get a tiny glimpse of the lives you’re about to destroy with your notification, I see you.

To the death investigator being told time and time again how “awesome” your job must be, knowing people have NO idea, I see you.

To the death investigator holding another baby whose life was cut short by a jealous boyfriend, I see you.

To the death investigator putting your heart and soul into your job, to find truth, provide dignity and help families navigate the worst days of their lives, I see you.

To the death investigator dealing with the most tragic of events, day after day, night after night, I see you.

To the death investigator, almost always forgotten, and rarely thanked, I see you.

We stand together, but often alone

We are the last responders

💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤



To all my coworkers, thank you for your service.

💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤

10/31/2021

If you have a student who needs support during this time of loss, please take advantage of these services!

09/03/2021

The Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Coroner’s Office is excited to announce that we will be hosting Phil Chalmers in person training on Profiling Teen Killers, School Shooters, Mass Murderers and Serial Killers. The event is schedule for Friday, October 15, 2021 from 8a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Washoe Theater in Anaconda, MT. Tickets can be purchased https://www.eventbrite.com/e/138236279433.

This event has been approved for 6 Renewal Units with Montana OPI (Office of Public Instruction) for educators. It has also been approved for 6 POST (Public Safety Officer Standards & Training) credit hours for those working in Law Enforcement/Public Safety. All attendees will receive a certificate of attendance.

This event has a limited number of available tickets so be sure to purchase as soon as possible before the event sells out.

06/08/2021

Fentanyl related deaths are at an all-time high in our state right now. In the last 6 weeks, there have been more fentanyl-related overdose deaths than for the months of January through April combined!

The Missoula Police Department announced they’re investigating a number of drug overdoses in the community.