Responsibilities
The Coroner's Office conducts independent investigations of deaths in Charleston County, serving as a representative of the decedents and survivors. The investigation's purpose is to determine the cause and manner of death and ensure that the circumstances surrounding it are thoroughly understood.
Contact
Coroner's Office
Charleston County Perimeter Center
Phone: (843) 476-4030
Fax: (843) 746-4033
Office Hours: M – F | 8:30AM – 4:30PM
Duties
- Perform independent investigations into traumatic deaths, deaths that occur outside of hospitals and deaths that occur suddenly or unexpectedly
- Notify families when unexpected deaths occur, such as in traffic fatalities or homicides
- Make positive identification of individuals who have died
- Create reports that relate to deaths investigated by the Office
- Issue burial transit permits for individuals who have died outside of a hospital
- Provide autopsy and Coroner's reports to agencies and next of kin
- Make the final determination as to the manner of death
- Release personal effects to the next of kin
- Act as the central depository for all records relative to a death, including the Coroner's Report, Autopsy Report, police investigative reports and any other investigative agencies' reports Maintain the County Coroner's Book of Inquisitions
- Conduct inquests
- Issue cremation permits
- Participate as a member of the Charleston County Disaster Preparedness Team
No Drug is Safe!
If you, or someone you know, may be at risk for an opiod overdose, please collect a Narcan kit from one of our community distributors - no questions asked.
Community Distributors of Narcan:
Charleston County Coroner's Office
Charleston Center
Wakeup Carolina | Berkeley County
Wakeup Carolina | Mt. Pleasant
Statistics
Stats Updated: 08-13-2025
Forensic Autopsies Completed
Opioid/Drug Related Deaths
Fentanyl Related Deaths
Deaths under the age of 18
Homicide Deaths
Suicide Deaths
Veteran Suicide Deaths
Natural Deaths
Traffic Deaths
Internship Opportunities
Internships with the Charleston County Coroner's Office are available to students who are looking to gain knowledge and experience in the area of both forensic nursing and/or medicolegal death investigation. Preferred candidates are currently enrolled in a college or university program that requires an internship for graduation.
Recruitment
In Their Words Podcast | Citizenarts
Podcast series presents federal, state and local "public servants" whose work is often not fully understood or thought about but has an immediate, direct impact on our daily lives. Civic education program designed to better inform citizens about the important work happening at all levels of government.
News Releases
Interesting Articles
- June 07, 2024
- January 23, 2024
- December 07, 2023
- October 06, 2023
- October 05, 2023
- July 01, 2023
- March 03, 2023
- January 24, 2023
- November 01, 2021
- February 23, 2015
History
The King of England appointed the first Coroner of South Carolina by relocating him from England to Charleston. Until 1706, the only Coroner in the colony lived in Charleston. Beginning in 1785, Justices of the County Court selected the Coroners who were commissioned by the Governor for two-year terms. Since 1868, and in accordance with the S.C. Constitution, each of the state's 46 counties have elected a Coroner to four-year terms.
Interesting Facts
- Deputy Coroner II Anita Roman was named the 2024 Deputy Coroner of the Year for the Low Country Region by the South Carolina Coroner's Association.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was unanimously re-elected President of the South Carolina Coroner's Association and will continue to serve as President for 2024-2026.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was awarded the 2023 Partnership Award presented by We Are Sharing Hope for her support of organ and tissue donation.
- There are 291 Board Certified Medicolegal Death Investigators in the United States. Eleven are in South Carolina and of those, six are in the Charleston County Coroner's Office. They are: Bobbi Jo O’Neal, Brittney Martin, Dottie Lindsay, Anita Hasert, Sara Tuuk and Stacey Toto.
- This Office offers prevention programs for schools. Topics include drinking and driving, weapons awareness and alcohol and drug abuse.
- This Office sponsors programs in the medical community promoting prevention of infants' and children's deaths.
- The Coroner's Books of Inquisitions contains records dating back to the early 1900's.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was awarded the Sue Townsend Award in 2016 by the South Carolina Coroner's Association.
- Morgue and Autopsy Coordinator, Elizabeth Dobbins, was selected as the 2019 Charleston County Employee of the Year.
- Evidence Technician, Nancy Ritter-Peacock, was selected as the 2020 Charleston County Employee of the Year.
- Supervising Deputy Coroner Kimberly Rhoton was nominated for the 2021 South Carolina Coroner's Association's Deputy Coroner of the Year.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was awarded the 2022 Coroner of the Year by the South Carolina Coroner's Association.
- Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal was elected President of the South Carolina Coroner's Association (2022-2024)
- Chief Deputy Coroner Brittney Martin was nominated for the 2022 South Carolina Coroner's Association Sue Townsend Award.
- Supervisor of Forensic Services, Kelly Gallagher, was named the Charleston County Supervisor of the Quarter for April-June 2022.
Common Terms / FAQs
- Autopsy
- A through external and internal examination of a deceased person which includes the dissection and examination of bone, tissue, organs and foreign objects for the purpose of determining the cause and manner of death.
- Book of Inquisitions
- A record of all inquests within the county, together with evidence taken before juries and all proceedings conducted before or after the Coroner's findings.
- Coroner's Inquest
- An official judicial inquiry before a Coroner and Coroner's Jury for the purpose of determining the manner of death.
- Victim-Witness Assistance Program
- A program that provides assistance to victims and witnesses by: making available information concerning their cases; supporting their rights to protection from intimidation; making referrals to medical, social, counseling and compensation services; assisting in preparation for court; and supporting families or survivors of victims.
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- FAQ | Friends & Family Assistance Guide
Charleston County
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