County coroner answers 33 calls in June

The Texas County Coroner’s office answered 33 calls in June 2024, compared to 26 the previous month.

“This has been an extremely busy month, and unfortunately Texas County is well on the way to exceed any preceding numbers of annual deaths despite small annual decreases in county population,” said Texas County Coroner Marie Lasater. “The good news is that opioid deaths are decreasing (with exception of the prison) but deaths related to alcoholism continue.”

In the community, there were 25 natural deaths including: cancer (5), heart disease (4), lung disease (3), stroke (2), liver disease (2), dementia (2), aspiration, diabetes, pulmonary fibrosis, renal failure, sepsis, osteomyelitis and pneumonia.

There were four accidental deaths in the community. One was heat-related and three were involved in motor vehicle crashes.

There were two suicides by gunshot wound. “The individuals were highly respected in their communities and are a great loss to their friends and families,” said Lasater. “No one can argue that we are living through difficult times, but remember to always be kind as we can never know the burdens that others are carrying.”

There were two offender deaths at South Central Correctional Center in June. One was due to natural causes – diabetes. The other is pending autopsy results.

“I was able to obtain another toxicology grant from the Department of Health and Human Services for $6,500,” Lasater stated. “Without this funding, I would not be able to do the amount of epidemiologic analysis of deaths related to substance use. A formal request for funding made to the commissioners for opioid lawsuit funds has gone unanswered.”

Marie Lasater, F-ABMDI
Texas County Coroner
573-247-1672

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