The Death Investigation Process of the Coroner's Office

The Coroner's Office in Las Animas County follows the guidelines set by Colorado law and Colorado Revised Statute 30-10-606, which outlines the types of deaths that must be reported and subsequently investigated by the coroner or their representative. If your loved one's death falls under these criteria, the involvement of a coroner's investigator is mandated by Colorado Law.

Arranging Transportation for Further Examinations

In order to conduct a thorough investigation, additional examinations may be necessary. These examinations are typically performed by a forensic pathologist, pathology technician, or a coroner's investigator, depending on the level of examination required. In some cases, it may be necessary to transport the deceased to a secure facility for further examination.

Process Following Transport

During the examination process, your family member will remain under the care of the Las Animas County Coroner's Office. It is advisable to take this time to contact other family members and establish a support system to help you through this challenging period. Once you have taken the necessary time, the legal next-of-kin can reach out to a Mortuary Information service, contact them, and complete the necessary paperwork they require.

Determining the Legal Next of Kin

The legal hierarchy for determining the next of kin is defined by the Colorado Revised Statutes.

Transportation to the Mortuary

Typically, the investigation process after death takes approximately 2-3 days, after which your family member can be released to the selected mortuary. Please note that this timeframe is an estimate, and for detailed information regarding your specific case, it is recommended to contact the Las Animas County Coroner's Office.

Selecting a Mortuary

The Las Animas County Coroner's Office, unfortunately, cannot provide recommendations or referrals for Mortuary Information services nor discourage you from choosing a particular one.

Payment for Coroner Services

All services provided by the Las Animas County Coroner's Office, including post-mortem examinations and secure storage until a mortuary is selected, are free of charge.

Organ & Tissue Donation

The eligibility for donation is determined on an individual basis by the selected organization responsible for donation services. If you wish to pursue donation, you can contact local agencies to inquire about your family member's eligibility. It is important to note that the coroner or forensic pathologist may deny donation if it hinders the investigation process. In such cases, the chosen donation agency will contact the Las Animas County Coroner's Office for verification.

Handling Personal Property

Any personal property found with or on your family member at the time of their death will be documented and securely stored by a representative from the Las Animas County Coroner's Office. You will have the option to arrange for the mortuary you select to retrieve the property, or you can personally pick it up at the Las Animas County Coroner's Office by presenting valid photo identification. This applies to any property discovered during the autopsy as well.

Viewings

Unfortunately, the Las Animas County Coroner's Office does not currently have the appropriate facilities to accommodate viewings by family members. The best approach for arranging a viewing is to coordinate with the selected mortuary.

Obtaining the Death Certificate

The final death certificate will only be issued once the autopsy results are finalized, which can take approximately six to eight weeks. Once issued, copies of the death certificate can be obtained from the mortuary you have selected. Alternatively, you can order one directly from Las Animas County Public Health Death Certificates.