2026 Kentucky General Election

Cassie ROBINSON

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Then of course, then we had Cassie Robinson, who is one of his handful of deputy coroners. Together, they talked about the training and the certifications that they have to complete, the importance of relationships both in the coroner’s office and outside of the office, their general duties and responsibilities, and I think that’s what you’re alluding to was those things that I never knew that they did.

The Role of the Coroner with Jessamine County Kentucky Coroner Michael Hughes

The Role of the Coroner with Jessamine County Kentucky Coroner ...

Cassie Robinson:

Suspected overdoses, when we get suspected overdoses, and not even suspected overdoses, even suicides, a car accident that isn’t going to go to autopsy, maybe a passenger, when we get to the office we draw tox ourselves. And then we send it off to our lab, that is a lab that the entire state uses.

The Role of the Coroner with Jessamine County Kentucky Coroner Michael Hughes - (Murder Police Podcast)

Wendy Lyons:

So do you all interview the families as well to get information?

Cassie Robinson:

Yeah.

Wendy Lyons:

So it’s you all and it’s law enforcement?

Cassie Robinson:

Yeah. And it truly is like a puzzle, because on certain cases that aren’t obvious and it’s somebody that’s not 30 years old, just a middle-aged person, interviewing the family is huge. Medical records, we’ll talk to their doctors, see what’s going on. A lot of times their primary care physician will have a diagnosis that we had no idea about, family had no idea about, that answers all the questions.

Cassie Robinson:

Yeah. And it truly is like a puzzle, because on certain cases that aren’t obvious and it’s somebody that’s not 30 years old, just a middle-aged person, interviewing the family is huge. Medical records, we’ll talk to their doctors, see what’s going on. A lot of times their primary care physician will have a diagnosis that we had no idea about, family had no idea about, that answers all the questions.
If we can’t come up with a definite answer, either the medical examiner will want them to come to autopsy or we’ll consult with the medical examiner that’ll clarify some things that they think, or we’ll test theories with the medical examiner and they’ll give us advice. They’re really approachable and easy to talk to about questions, if we have any.

Collects toxicology samples in suspected overdoses, suicides, and certain vehicle-related deaths without autopsies, then sends them to a statewide laboratory.

Investigates deaths with no obvious cause by interviewing families and reviewing medical records with physicians.

Consults medical examiners and seeks autopsies when an investigation cannot determine a definite cause of death.

- Collects toxicology samples in suspected overdoses, suicides, and certain vehicle-related deaths without autopsies, then sends them to a statewide laboratory.
- Investigates deaths with no obvious cause by interviewing families and reviewing medical records with physicians.
- Consults medical examiners and seeks autopsies when an investigation cannot determine a definite cause of death.

Public Safety

Provides support and practical assistance to bereaved families until they no longer need that support.

Cassie Robinson: So that plays a huge role in how I deal with or work with families now because I think it’s a really important time, which funeral directors do a wonderful job once you establish a funeral home, but there’s this really weird interim where you’re not even thinking about that. You’re just lost. So I always tell them, “I’m yours until you don’t need me. So any questions you have, whether it’s who’s going to feed my dog or who’s going to meet ServPro to come clean my house, or I just feel like you need somebody to hold your hand through that process, until you get your feet underneath and let it sink in what just happened.”

Public Health

- The coroner investigates certain types of deaths and attempts to determine their cause. To determine the cause of death, the coroner can order an autopsy, seize evidence, and interrogate people.
- The coroner can present evidence to a coroner’s jury. If that jury returns a verdict of manslaughter, murder, or other criminal act, then the coroner must make an arrest or notify law enforcement.
- The coroner has discretion about investigating deaths from natural causes.
- The minimum possible salary is determined based on county population and a coroner’s continuing education. The minimum monthly pay ranges from $200 to $1,300. The current maximum annual salary allowed is about $93,000.
- A coroner must possess a current certificate of continuing education in order to perform a postmortem examination but otherwise has no educational requirements for the job.

The chief medical examiner for the county.