Newton County, Indiana Coroner's Office

05/07/2026

Yesterday was our first Versiti Blood Center of Illinois blood drive at the Morocco Branch of the Newton County Library. I must admit that I was beyond happy with the turnout. We had seventeen donors and had to turn two away and one showed up late and could not donate. That would have been twenty total.......

I thank each and everyone who took the time out of their busy schedule to provide the much needed blood to our local hospitals.

If you missed this drive and would like to donate in the future we will be having another blood drive at the Lake Village Branch of the Newton County Library on June 8th from 3pm - 7pm....

Again, Thank You !!!!!!

04/27/2026

There are still some spots open for scheduling your donation !!!
Lets fill this up and show we care.........
Bring a friend along

Lets do this !!!!!!!!!!!

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity and precision medicine that recognizes the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive. Versiti is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.

04/22/2026

SCAM ALERT !!!!!!!!!!!!

It has come to my attention that someone, a scammer, has hacked the Coroner's Office phone number and is trying to sell insurance to people.

At no time will the Coroner's Office try to sell you anything...ever.

Please DO NOT give out any personal information to anyone saying that they represent the Coroner's Office.........

If you have been contacted by someone please reach out here and let us know.....

Thank You All !!!!!

Scott McCord, Coroner

04/19/2026

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On the evening of April 17, 2026 at 7:12 pm the Newton County Coroner's Office responded to a fatal crash on I-65 southbound near the 233 mile marker. Upon arrival there was a pickup truck type vehicle that had struck the trailer of a semi-tractor-trailer. The passenger in the pickup was pronounced deceased at the scene and was taken to the Tippecanoe County Morgue in Lafayette, IN by the Newton County Coroner for autopsy scheduled for Monday April 20, 2026. The driver was transported to Franciscan Health - Crown Point with non-life-threatening injuries. The deceased has been identified as Austin Lee Nitcher, 25 of Crown Point, Indiana. Family has been notified by the Coroner's Office.

04/14/2026

Good Tuesday Morning Friends and Followers.......

Mark your calendars as the Morocco Blood Drive is just around the corner.

You, yes you, can make a huge difference in someone's life, maybe even saving it. It is extremely simple and takes little time.

So let's roll up our sleeves and give a little....I know I am !!!

Let's do this !!!!!

Just follow the link to reserve a spot or simply drop in....

https://donateblood.versiti.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/11633117?fbclid=IwY2xjawRLBLpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeCAkVuskM4cp4dKoYkSnsFsjbs6551I8c-fzrUYbgGc8gqPHdSUHIOMOb7jU_aem_d7aTMPzcYMQC5hO68ry_2Q

Versiti is a fusion of donors, scientific curiosity and precision medicine that recognizes the gifts of blood and life are precious. We are passionate about improving the lives of patients and helping our healthcare partners thrive. Versiti is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.

03/27/2026

Only 6 months until the Newton County Su***de Prevention Walk! Thanks to Guardian Angel Embroidery we have midyear shirts available! 3 designs to choose from. So please check out the two pages of short sleeve, long sleeve, and even hoodies that are available for purchase during the month of March!! Proceeds go back to the su***de prevention bench program throughout the county. Thank you for your support! I will pick shirts up early April and distribute them.

03/11/2026

OFFICE OF THE CORONER

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

At approximately 7:12pm CST on Tuesday March 10, 2026, at severe thunderstorm brought a damaging and deadly tornado. The tornado entered rural Lake Village in northwest Newton County and destroyed homes and businesses in its path. Two elderly people were killed when their home was struck by this tornado. The victims have been tentatively identified as:

Edward L Kozlowski 89 and his wife Arlene Kozlowski 84

Their preliminary cause of death has been ruled as “multiple blunt force trauma” and an autopsy has been scheduled for Friday morning at the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office in Lafayette, IN.

Send a message to learn more

03/11/2026

PRESS RELEASE !!!!!

For immediate release

In the early evening hours of Tuesday March 10 a severe thunderstorm produced a large tornado that struck Lake Village in Northwest Newton County. This tornado caused severe damage throughout the rural area as well as in the town of Lake Village.

An elderly couple were found deceased after their home in the 8000 block of CR 600 W was struck and destroyed. No names are being released at this time pending positive identification and notification of the next of kin.

ss://Scott A McCord, Coroner

12/22/2025

Hello Friends and Followers of the Office... Here is a quick 2025 Recap of events......

We have placed a total of 15 Su***de Prevention/Mental Health Awareness Benches throughout the County. These benches were made possible through the donation of caps and lids from you, the people, with the generous help from all of our local libraries as drop-off points. Each bench is made with 200 pounds of plastic which would otherwise end up in the landfill. We hope these will bring some attention to the need for better mental healthcare and in the end prevent a su***de. I have posted several pictures of the benches for your enjoyment.

Also, we held our 5th Su***de Prevention "Into the Light" Walk at the Newton County Fairgrounds. We had over 100 people show up and partake in the enjoyment of fellowship and some totally awesome food prepared by our very own "Papa C" aka Sheriff Cothran.

So we would like to thank everyone who has helped with literally everything we have done. We are here for you and we enjoy helping where and when we can.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

See you next year !!!!

11/06/2025

Good Morning Friends and Followers of the Office !!

Well we made it through the Halloween and are heading toward the Thanksgiving Holiday. The weather is turning colder and the days are getting much shorter, winter is soon to be upon us.

The holidays are a time of joy and togetherness ......... for most of us. As we move forward let us remember that to some the holidays are not a happy time. This could very well be the first holiday that someone spends without their significant other or best friend. With the days getting shorter and there being less daylight many suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and some suffer from depression. Mental Health issues are heightened during the holidays and we all need to be a bit more alert to the signs of a crisis.

So, how do we combat this, and it is a battle ?

Reach out to those in need, a phone call or visit can truly mean the difference between life and death. Human interaction is a major part of the treatment, not cure, for depression and other mental illnesses.

If you are feeling like you are in crisis there is help.....please call 988 and talk to someone, it truly is that easy.....

Please stay safe this holiday season and take care of yourselves and others.....be kind.

At the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life’s challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you’re facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns…

10/17/2025

Again I am late posting but I have been on a "Facebook Vacation" so to say..... I want to congratulate Christine Whitaker and Jason Cornell on completing yet another milestone in their training to become Certified Death Investigators. Each must show that they can "draw fluids" for toxicology and present a case to the pathologist... They have completed this with flying colors and are well on their way to becoming Certified !!!! I for one am beyond proud of them both and they do this to serve you, the people of Newton County, better... Thanks and Congrats Chrissy and Jason !!!!