SC coroner schedules ‘Death & Dinner’ fundraiser with creative theme. Some aren’t amused

“Death and Dinner: A Drop Dead Gorgeous Event” is the headline for a fundraising invitation by Richland County Coroner Naida Rutherford. A contributor can become a “Dead Serious Donor” or make a “grave” contribution, according to the invitation.

A victim’s rights advocate and others are calling the event’s wording “inappropriate” for an office that helps investigate murders, drownings, fatal car crashes, and other deaths.

Rutherford’s response? “They should pray.”

In the invitation, hand delivered by Rutherford and members of her office, donors are asked to help support the Richland County Coroner Cadet program, which includes two college scholarships. Rutherford said its the only of its kind in all of South Carolina.

The dinner’s theme is centered around a simulation of the coroner’s role in investigating deaths, which Rutherford says is “age appropriate.”

The event is scheduled for Oct. 26, “as the night falls over Elm Abode Manor half past six,” according to the invitation.

Longtime victim’s rights advocate Laura Hudson says the dinner’s invitation borders on being “really inappropriate.”

“If I were being sent that as a potential donor, I’d be offended,” said Hudson, executive director for the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision.

Other people who got wind of the invite also expressed concerns but didn’t want to go on the record at the risk of jeopardizing their professional relationship with Rutherford.

Rutherford said the event is for a good cause and is no different than a murder mystery dinner or watching true crime.

“This (dinner) allows guests to actively participate in a fictional death with them going through the process that the coroner’s office goes through,” Rutherford said. “It allows them an opportunity to understand the multiple facets that go into an investigation and how sometimes things are not as they seem.”

Although the cadet program is available to all students in Richland County, it’s primarily geared toward those in underserved communities with limited resources — a reality Rutherford says she once faced.

“I came to South Carolina homeless,” Rutherford said. “I came here not knowing what my career path would be, but I was always interested in science and investigative work from being a little kid. But there were no programs for students like me in the area where I grew up. So, if I can be the change that I want to see in the world, I’m going to do that.”

She advised that people who have a problem with the dinner’s theme should pray and ask for forgiveness.

“If somebody has something negative to say about giving scholarships to hardworking students, they really need to pray and ask God for forgiveness for being so petty and mean spirited that they don’t want to see students succeed,” Rutherford said.

Donations, which will be used to fund two college scholarships for students interested in pursuing non-traditional careers — such as in forensic science, criminology and anthropology — will range from whatever one wishes to give up to $7,500.

It further supports, Rutherford said, the Richland County Coroner Cadet program that offers a free two-week intensive summer camp, where interested students learn the ins and outs of work done by the coroner’s office. She began the program in 2021 after becoming coroner.

The amount of the scholarships, Rutherford said, are dependent on the amount of money raised during the dinner.

The invitation features several roles a donor can assume during the mock death dinner.

“Yes, I would like to be apart of the crime scene deputy coroner team as follows: forensic philanthropic presenter | $7,500; Dead Serious Sponsor | $3,500; A grave contribution sponsor | $2,500; Morgue Mogul Ticket | $250,” according to the invitation.

“At the coroner’s request the following attire is required: Black, Black, Black,” the invitation said.

Hudson, who says she has enormous respect for many of coroners in South Carolina, was “reluctant” to speak negatively of the event.

“I have a great deal of respect for our coroners and what they deal with,” Hudson said. “Many of them are just incredibly kind and helpful with crime victims and their families. So, I’m reluctant to just say this is a terrible thing, but I think it’s inappropriate.”

“Laura Hudson, you’re welcome to attend so that you can participate in the scholarship program that will help today’s youth become tomorrow’s leaders,” Rutherford said.