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County Coroner

The Teton County Coroner's Office investigates all sudden, violent, unexpected, and unattended deaths in the county, including accidents and natural causes. The office is responsible for establishing the decedent's identity, cause, and manner of death. The County Coroner is paid $50,000 per year, increasing to $72,500 in 2027. The Coroner does not receive employee benefits like other county employees.

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    Katrina Clauson
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    Dave Hodges
    (Dem)

  • Candidate picture

    A. Russell Nelson, PhD
    (Rep)

  • Candidate picture

    Krista I Nethercott
    (Rep)

Biographical Information

Why are you running for this office? Describe the experience and skills that make you the most qualified candidate for this office.

Define a good working relationship with law enforcement and the Coroner's Office.

What are the most important legal duties of the Coroner, and what are the associated responsibilities?

What suggestions do you have for updating and improving the current County Morgue facility?

Descirbethe relationship between the County Coroner and Deputy Coroners and how you would resolve disputes

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Campaign Mailing Address 794 Wind River Lane
Jackson, WY 83001
Campaign Phone 3074131424
Clearly, it's a difficult job. However, it's an important role of local government. I'm running for County Coroner to continue to serve as a Board-Certified Death Investigator. I am committed to providing respectful, compassionate, and thorough death investigation for the decedent, their families and friends. I have been certified with the State of Wyoming as a Coroner since 2008 and I've served under four County Coroner's and once served as Interim Coroner for Teton County. The opportunity to be the next Coroner is a culmination of 28+ years in law enforcement (currently retired), and 18 years serving the Teton County Coroner's Office. I am prepared, experience, confident, field tested and ready to continue to serve our community.
I have been working with law enforcement as a team for many years in the role of Deputy Coroner. We coordinate efforts side-by-side at the death investigation and post investigation. Both agencies participate in the workload. Together we share our time and experience, our resources, information, our needs or requirements. Together as death investigators, we accomplish the challenging and stressful tasks that are necessary at the scene of a death. I anticipate the relationship with law enforcement will continue to thrive as a partnership, as it currently does today.
There are many statutory requirements for the Coroner. The number one objective: to determine the cause and manner of death. That is accomplished by a comprehensive investigation. We conduct these investigations with compassion and respect for the decedent. Death investigations include partnerships with law enforcement, medical professionals and related experts, such as a forensic pathologist. Additionally, the Coroner has the responsibility to identify the decedent, notify the next of kin of the death, collect and secure personal effects, complete a death certificate, schedule and oversee an autopsy, if necessary, conduct a postmortem examination, and secure biological samples: blood, urine, or DNA.
If elected, I would certainly look forward to continuing constructive dialog with County Commissioners about improvements to the facility. I would underline the need for proper drainage to improve the ability to clean the floor and walls, since the floor does not properly drain during cleaning. Improve the plumbing in the autopsy suite. Replace the wall material in the autopsy suite so it can be efficiently cleaned and sterilized. The facility could utilize a larger footprint for lab work (such as the x-ray apparatus), additional storage for supplies, increased evidence capacity and update evidence record keeping. At the same time, we have to exercise our fiscal responsibility to the taxpayer and the county budget.
The Deputy Coroners are dedicated and experienced death investigators. The citizens of Teton County are fortunate to have such specialized staff. If I am honored to be elected the next Coroner of Teton County, I would continue to enhance and support our team, through training and educational opportunities, resource improvements, commitment to personal and career development, and professional partnerships. Together, as a team, we would set our sights on continued betterment and advancement as death investigators.
Campaign Phone (307)231-3296
I believe every family in our community deserves compassionate, professional service during one of life’s most difficult moments. In nearly 40 years working on human bodies, I have handled thousands of remains ranging in time since death from a few hours to several thousand years, from fresh to every conceivable condition. As Deputy for our Coroner’s Office, I have worked with colleagues from Arizona to Mongolia, Smithsonian, BLM, Forest Service, National Park Service, county Coroners and local, state and federal Law Enforcement in Wyoming and various other states. This experience has allowed me to develop strong skills in evidence handling, clear communication, and decision-making under pressure.
A strong working relationship between law enforcement and the Coroner’s Office is built on mutual respect, clear communication, and shared commitment to truth and justice. It means timely coordination at scenes, seamless sharing of information while respecting distinct roles, and joint training opportunities that enhance both agencies’ effectiveness. In practice, this looks like responsive collaboration during investigations, joint case reviews when appropriate, and a professional environment where each agency supports the other’s mission. As Coroner, I would prioritize regular meetings, open lines of communication, and building trust so that together we serve the community with integrity and efficiency.
The Coroner’s legal duties, as defined by Wyoming statutes, include: • Investigating sudden, unexpected, unattended, or suspicious deaths, including accidents, suicides, homicides, overdoses, and public health concerns. • Determining cause and manner of death through scene investigation, identification of the deceased, and coordination of autopsies or other forensic services when needed. • Notifying next of kin with sensitivity and dignity. • Safeguarding personal property of the deceased. • Issuing death certificates and comprehensive reports. Above all, the Coroner serves as an advocate for the deceased while providing compassionate support to grieving families.
The current morgue facility has served our county but is outdated and inadequate. I support investing in a modern, purpose-built morgue that meets national standards for forensic facilities. My suggestions include: • Designing a facility with proper equipment, storage, and adequate space for examinations and family viewings. • Incorporating energy and climate-appropriate features suitable for Jackson’s environment. • Planning for future growth as our county continues to expand. I would work with County Commissioners to ensure the project is completed efficiently, transparently, and with full respect for taxpayer dollars. A modern morgue is not a luxury — it is a necessary investment in public health, safety, and human dignity.
The County Coroner serves as the elected leader and final authority for the office, while Deputy Coroners provide essential operational support, scene response, and investigative expertise. This is a collaborative relationship built on clear roles, mutual respect, and shared commitment to excellence. As Coroner, I would foster open communication through regular team meetings, ongoing training, and a supportive work culture. In the event of disputes, I would address them promptly and fairly. My goal is a cohesive, high-performing team where every member feels valued and empowered to do their best work.
Campaign Mailing Address P.O. Box 1086
Jackson, WY 83001
Campaign Phone 307-690-9718
I am running to give a better voice for women who are now wanting to be part of this male dominated field. I have worked and do work with law enforcement. I have worked for the County Attorney’s Office and WY Probation and Parole in the past. I did a lot of investigations for the courts and wrote legal documents. I am compassionate and driven. I am part owner of the funeral home and work on call 24/7 for families who's loved ones had died. I meet legal requirements daily for final dispositions for those who pass away. I am a team player, and I know the demands for working with the coroner's office.
It is working as a team to do the best job you can to find out who the person was that died, finding out who the next of kin is to notify them of death and getting evidence to figure out what that person died from. It’s imperative that both the coroner and law enforcement work alongside each other and have good communication. Evidence can be taken by both agencies, and each entity will share important information with one another that can help solve why the death occurred. Good communication equals 1.) asking for help when it’s needed and 2.) being respectful to one another.
Finding out who the person is, declaring the death, writing notes and taking evidence into custody for a death scene investigation and figuring out who the next of kin is to notify them of them death. The coroner holds the person’s body and possessions the person might have on them. Associated responsibilities would be doing the lab work that is needed, writing reports, interviewing family members about medical history and other doctor’s that took care of the deceased. A good portion of the job is helping the family navigate what to do once the death has been made known to them. They work with the family to help them get in touch with a funeral home and they keep in touch with them about the cause and manner of death
Money needs to be spent on fixing the broken equipment first that is vital to running the office. The budget needs to be spent on having the right kind of equipment (things that are useful and used on a regular basis). I think we need to reach out to other entities around us to help with certain things until more money is saved to build a new facility. I encourage this office to use our funeral home to let families see their loved one in a more appropriate place.
The relationship between the coroner and the deputies is fractured and needs new leadership to repair lack of trust and have better morale. Resolving disputes in any job means listening first and talking last. It’s about being respectful of someone else’s point of view and valuing what each person has to say. It’s not being “my way or the highway.” I think resolving disputes in this office will be making sure people are heard and everyone working for what is best for the families that are served. Compromises might have to happen but I feel like the deputies all have respect for one another and will work for the common good.