Idaho has known for over 70 years that its system for investigating deaths, which dates back to the frontier era, is not working. Yet, the state has failed to make meaningful improvements.
A review of state records by ProPublica shows that since 1951, there have been numerous attempts by lawmakers, doctors, trade groups, and the public to reform the system, but nothing has changed.
A recent case in eastern Idaho highlighted the problems with the system. The coroner failed to follow national standards in investigating the death of 2-month-old Onyxx Cooley, who passed away in his sleep.
The coroner didn’t conduct an autopsy or visit the scene, instead relying on a diagnosis of sudden infant death syndrome SIDS from a doctor. Idaho law doesn’t require coroners to follow any specific standards, and there’s no state oversight of the process.
Idaho’s coroner system is made up of 44 independent offices, each responsible for investigating deaths in their county. However, the system is inconsistent, with some counties lacking the resources to perform autopsies.
This creates disparities in investigations, and in some cases, it may allow murderers to avoid prosecution. The system has long been criticized by experts like former Ada County coroner Dotti Owens, who has called for comprehensive reform.
For decades, the Child Fatality Review Team has raised concerns about the lack of resources, training, and consistency among coroners. In its annual reports, the team has repeatedly called for a state medical examiner system, but there has been no significant action on these recommendations. The issue has worsened as Idaho’s population has grown, placing more strain on the already underfunded coroner offices.
Despite repeated attempts to reform the system, including efforts in the 1970s, 1990s, and early 2000s, local governments and coroners have pushed back, often citing concerns over costs.
Proposals to create a state-run medical examiner system or require autopsies for sudden unexplained infant deaths have failed to pass due to opposition from coroners and county officials who argue that such changes would be too expensive.
As a result, Idaho continues to have one of the lowest rates of autopsies for child deaths, including deaths attributed to SIDS. The tragic case of Onyxx Cooley, whose death was attributed to SIDS without an autopsy, highlights the ongoing failures of the state’s coroner system.