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Suspicious Deaths

A suspicious death is one where the cause or manner of death raises concerns, suggesting foul play, negligence, or other unusual factors.

Is an autopsy required? The decision to conduct an autopsy rests solely with the Coroner’s Office. An autopsy is required if there is no known medical history, suspicion of injury or foul play, or if the circumstances surrounding the death are unusual. Determination of cause and manner of death may take several months to complete. Conversely, an autopsy may not be necessary when the death is clearly due to natural causes; there is a sufficient medical history and no evidence of foul play. (RS 13:5713)

I disagree with the Coroner. What can I do? If you disagree with the Coroner’s report or decision, you can request a private autopsy. However, if the Coroner does not find it necessary, you must arrange and pay for it through a licensed pathologist. You should reach out to the Coroner’s office directly for specific guidance.

My loved one has already been interred. Is it too late to request a private autopsy? The coroner or the district attorney may order the disinterment for the purpose of examination and autopsy and, when such is completed, order the reinterment of the body. (RS 13:5713)

Who issues the death certificate? How long does it take? The funeral home will issue to the next of kin or it can be obtained from the Louisiana Office of Vital Records.

When a death falls under the Coroner’s jurisdiction, the funeral home collects demographic, disposition, and other relevant information, then submits the death certificate to the Coroner. After completing the investigation, the Coroner fills in the medical details, certifies the certificate, and returns it to the funeral home. In cases requiring an autopsy, the certificate is finalized once the pathology results are received, which typically takes between 90 to 180 days.

You can request a fact of death letter or coroner’s report while awaiting the certificate.

What kind of cases are referred to the Coroner? The following are mandated to be reported to the Coroner:

  1. Suspicious, unexpected, or unusual deaths.
  2. Sudden or violent deaths.
  3. Deaths from unknown or unusual causes.
  4. Unattended bodies found deceased.
  5. Deaths without a doctor’s care within 36 hours before death.
  6. Suspected suicides or homicides.
  7. Deaths possibly caused by poisoning.
  8. Natural deaths in a hospital within 24 hours of admission, unless seen by a doctor in the last 36 hours.
  9. Deaths linked to old or recent injuries or accidents.
  10. Deaths caused by drowning, hanging, burns, electrocution, gunshots, stabs, lightning, starvation, radiation, exposure, addiction, strangulation, suffocation, or smothering.
  11. Deaths from any kind of trauma.
  12. Deaths from criminal acts or accidents.
  13. Deaths in prison or while serving a sentence.
  14. Deaths from contagious diseases that pose a public risk, including AIDS.
  15. All deaths of infants under one year old.

What is the difference between cause and manner of death? 

The cause of death refers to the specific medical reason or condition that directly led to the individual’s death, such as a heart attack, cancer, or a traumatic injury.

The manner of death describes the circumstances or way in which the death occurred, reflecting the broader category or context. The Coroner will classify the manner of death on the death certificate as one of the following:

  • NATURAL: A death caused by natural processes, such as disease or the aging process.
  • ACCIDENT: A death resulting from an unintentional injury or poisoning, with little to no evidence of intent to cause harm or death.
  • SUICIDE: A death caused by an intentional, self-inflicted act with the purpose of causing self-harm or death. Suicide may stem from various factors, including depression, shame, guilt, desperation, physical pain, emotional distress, financial struggles, or other challenging circumstances.
  • HOMICIDE: A death caused by another person’s intentional or voluntary act meant to cause fear, harm, or death. While intent is common, it is not required for a death to be classified as homicide.
  • UNDETERMINED: A death in which the cause and manner cannot be clearly identified after a thorough investigation.
Coroner Qualifications and Terms
  • Coroners are elected for four-year terms and must be licensed physicians, unless no qualified physician is available to run for office. (RS 13:5701, RS 13:5704)
  • A Justice of the Peace may perform Coroner duties if authorized by the Coroner. They are elected for six-year terms and must possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent. (RS 13:5703, RS 13:2582)
Coroner Duties (RS 13:5706)

The Coroner investigates natural, accidental, and suspected criminal deaths, determines the cause and manner of death, conducts exams or autopsies as needed, and releases the body for burial.

Coroner Compensation (RS 13:5706)

The compensation for elected coroners, set by the parish governing authority, varies depending on the parish and may include:

1. Salary Basis: Some receive a fixed annual salary determined by the parish governing authority. (Ex. Bossier, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Laforche, Livingston and Orleans Parishes.)

2. Fee Basis: In other cases, they are compensated through fees for specific services: $50 for each investigation, including issuing necessary papers and reports. $50 for viewing bodies. $250 to $300 for performing an autopsy. (Ex. Ouachita Parish)

3. Salary Plus Fees: Still others may receive a combination of salary and additional fees for services rendered. (Ex. Calcasieu and Lafayette Parishes)

Coroner Records (RS 44:19)
  • Medical Records: Not subject to inspection or copying.
  • Death Investigation Report: Not a public record but must be made available to the next of kin.
  • Fact of Death Letter: A public record that can be released.
  • Coroner’s Report: A public record and must be released to any person.
  • Autopsy Report: Not a public record unless a court orders it open to the public. It can be released to the next of kin.
  • Additional Information (e.g., photos/videos): May be released to family, successors, or pursuant to a court order or subpoena.
CORONERS – 2025
  • Acadia Parish: Mark Dawson, MD – (337) 334-7551
  • Ascension Parish: Chris Trevino, MD – (225) 644-4743
  • Allen Parish: Patrick Savoy, MD – (318) 335-1648
  • Assumption Parish: Keith J. Landry, MD – (985) 369-6070
  • Avoyelles Parish: James Bordelon, MD – (318) 253 7077
  • Beauregard Parish: Flynn A. Taylor, MD – (337) 462-2659
  • Calcasieu Parish: Terry Welke, MD – (337) 477-7537
  • Cameron Parish: Kevin C. Dupke, MD – (337) 796-1187
  • Catahoula Parish: Mr. Raymond Rouse – (318) 729-1318
  • Concordia Parish: Pamela Poole, RN – (318) 650-8446. https://www.conppj.org/coroner.html
  • East Baton Rouge Parish: William “Beau” Clark, M.D. – (225) 389-3047 https://www.ebrcoroner.com/
  • East Feliciana Parish: Gene Thompson, M.D – (225) 244-3003
  • Evangeline Parish – Thomas G. Fontenot, MD – (337) 363-7744
  • Grant Parish: Dan Fletcher, RN – (318) 627-2051, ext. 307
  • Iberia Parish: Timothy Viator, MD – (337) 365-8804
  • Iberville Parish: James E. Grace, MD – (225) 687-8555
  • Jefferson Parish: Gerry A. Cvitanovich MD – (504) 365-9100 https://www.jpcoroner.com/
  • Jefferson Davis – Charles Deese, DC, MD – (337) 824-1731
  • Lafayette Parish – Ken Odinet, DDS, MD – (337) 291-7100
  • Lafourche Parish – Kayla Breaux – (985) 537-7055
  • LaSalle Parish: Kathy D. Thompson, FPN-C – (318) 992-2166
  • Livingston Parish: Ron Coe, M.D. – (225) 686-3980 https://www.livingstonparishla.gov/coroner
  • Natchitoches Parish: Steven Enlow Clanton, RN/EMT-P – (318) 357-2260 (several deputy coroner MDs) https://www.natchitochescoroner.org/
  • Orleans Parish: Dwight L. McKenna, M.D. – (504) 658-9660 http://neworleanscoroner.com/
  • Point Coupee Parish: Donald Doucet, MD – (225) 638-5736
  • Rapides Parish: Jonathan D. Hunter, MD – (318) 473-6831
  • Sabine Parish: Mark Holder, MD – 318.354.7110
  • St Charles Parish: Brian Brogle, MD – (985) 785-3693
  • St Helena Parish: Jimmie W. Varnado, M.D – (225) 222-3206
  • St James Parish: Randall C. Poche’ MD – (225) 869-3493
  • St John the Baptist Parish: Christy Montegut, MD – (985) 652-3344
  • St Landry: Zeb Stearns, MD – (337) 457-1599
  • St Martin: Warren J Degatur, Jr, MD – (337) 332-3500
  • St Mary Parish: Eric Melancon, MD – (985) 384-9964
  • St Tammany Parish: Chris Tape, MD – (985) 781-1150
  • Tangipahoa Patish: Rick Foster, MD – (985) 902-8580
  • Terrebone Parish: Patrick Walker, MD – (985) 873-6440
  • Vermilion Parish: Myriam Hutchinson, MD – (337) 893-2438
  • Vernon Parish: Shawn Granger, MD – (337) 392-2349
  • Washington Parish: Roger Casama, M.D – 985-735-8111
  • West Baton Rouge Parish: Philip Padgett, MD – (225) 336-2429
  • West Feliciana Parish: Chaillie P. Daniel, MD – 225-635-5848