accidental deaths

Dr. Nicole Yarid, an associate medical examiner for King County, walks into the autopsy room dedicated to examining people who died from COVID-related complications. Yarid told KNKX that the pandemic response has detracted from other priorities.

As effort to reform death investigation system begins, KNKX looks outside WA for solutions

Kari Plog

Since its founding more than a century ago, Washington state has seen few changes to the way sudden or unusual deaths are investigated. And experts from…

Skagit County Coroner Hayley Thompson (left) and Connie Le Sourd, owner of Mount Vernon Cemetery, arrange urns of unclaimed remains in a shared crypt during a committal service in October 2019. Thompson is one of 17 elected coroners in Washington state.

Politics

'A challenging way to practice medicine': Death investigation in Washington faces grim reality

Kari Plog

Dr. Carl Wigren could stand in for just about any medical examiner as seen on TV. He’s witty, a fast talker who knows a lot about investigating deaths.In…

The National Safety Council says more Americans are dying by accident, and opioid abuse is one of the leading causes.

News

More Than Ever, Americans Are Dying By Accident

David Schaper

Accidental deaths are up by more than 15 percent from a decade ago. Safety officials point to opioids and heroin, but also to falls. Car crashes aren't killing as many people as they did a decade ago.