Chesterfield County, SC Coroner's Office

04/05/2026

03/03/2026

This morning the Chesterfield County Coroner’s Office made a contribution to the Chesterfield High School Crime Scene Investigators who will be competing next week in Columbia. We wish them well in their endeavors. Pictured left to right are John James-Chief Deputy Coroner, Allison Lloyd, Jenna Stafford, Jenna Kelly, and Richard Carnes-Protective Services Instructors.

02/06/2026

I spent the morning at New Heights middle school for career day. Several students were interested in the job of the Coroner, so we look forward to some new deputies in the future.

02/06/2026

Today three of our deputies completed advanced coroner school. I would like to take this time to say congratulations and thank you for what you do for this office and the citizens of Chesterfield County. You all are greatly appreciated!

01/09/2026

Thank you to all of our local law enforcement officers and those throughout the country. Thank you for your service!

12/31/2025

Wishing Everyone A Happy and Prosperous New Year!!!

11/27/2025

Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for!

11/11/2025

Thank you for your service!

08/19/2025

⚠️ 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭 ⚠️

Our office has observed the presence of 𝑲𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒎 in multiple cases recently. While some say this substance is safe because it is plant-based and legally sold in certain stores, it is important to understand the real risks.

Kratom, derived from a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia, is legally available in some stores and online. However, it is not regulated by the FDA, and its use has been associated with significant safety concerns, including:

• 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 - Can act like an opioid leading to tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and dependence.

• 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 - Side effects may include nausea, seizures, high blood pressure, and even respiratory depression.

• 𝐌𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤𝐬 - May worsen anxiety, depression, or psychosis, and withdrawal can trigger mood disturbances or suicidal thoughts.

While Kratom is 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑭𝑫𝑨, there are many states that have banned the sale of Kratom, including Rhode Island, Indiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Vermont. In May 2025, 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝟐𝟐𝟏, 𝐒𝐂 𝐊𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐭, was signed into law in South Carolina. While this bill does not ban or make it illegal to sell Kratom in stores, it puts safeguards in place including, 1) prohibiting the sale of Kratom to anyone under 21 years old, 2) stored behind the counter, 3) contain transparent labeling, and 4) created civil penalties for violations of the aforementioned. While this act creates these restrictions, it 𝒅𝒐𝒆𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒕 the public from the harmful effects associated with the use of Kratom.

Our goal in sharing this information is to increase awareness and prevention. By understanding the potential risks, we hope to reduce harm and encourage informed decision-making within our community. 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐬!

For more information regarding Kratom or 𝐒𝐂 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝟐𝟐𝟏, please visit the links provided below.

𝐒𝐂 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝟐𝟐𝟏 - https://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess126_2025-2026/bills/221.htm

𝐅𝐃𝐀 - https://www.fda.gov/news-events/public-health-focus/fda-and-kratom

𝐍𝐈𝐃𝐀 - https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/kratom

𝐃𝐄𝐀-https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Kratom-Drug-Fact-Sheet.pdf

08/19/2025

In just a few more days the new Hands-Free Law will go into effect in South Carolina. To use a mobile phone while driving, you must utilize a Bluetooth device. Let's adhere to this new law and keep the roads safe. It will be hard for all of us but saying focused on the road saves lives and that is what matters.