JACKSON, Wyo. — Teton County Coroner Dr. Brent Blue is running for a third term as Teton County Coroner.
“I’ve heard that I’m retiring as coroner and as a physician,” Blue told Buckrail. “I’m not retiring from either.”
According to the county, The Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden and unattended deaths in the County including all accidents, violent, unexpected, and other deaths. Any death in the County may be deemed a Coroner’s Case at the discretion of the Coroner if there are circumstances which warrant such designation.
“It has always been my contention that being a physician has always helped me be a coroner,” Blue said.
He also noted that his experience as a physician has ultimately saved the county money because he’s been able to determine the cause and matter of death in some cases without an autopsy, based on knowledge from his medical background.
He said his time in office has been defined by revamping the coroner’s office. Blue worked to create a clean and safe work environment by updating the morgue and replacing the ventilation system within the last year. He also worked to digitize the records to create an easily accessible database, making it easier to share information with families or fulfill document requests.
Blue also noted the “great group” of five deputy coroners he assembles that work part-time for the office.
Blue received worldwide media attention when he performed the autopsy investigation on missing traveler Gabby Petito. Petito’s body was found outside of Grand Teton National Park on Sept. 19. Blue was tasked with determining the cause and matter of death.
Reflecting on the case, Blue said his team did an excellent job and didn’t lose focus amidst the media circus.
“I think we did extremely well, especially because we are a small community with fewer resources than a larger city,” Blue said.
In Sept. of 2020, St. John’s Health acquired Blue’s Emerg-A-Care clinic on West Broadway. St. John’s took over operations, renaming the clinic, St. John’s Health Family Health & Urgent Care clinic.
In Oct. 2021, Blue announced his resignation from St. John’s via Facebook.
“Unfortunately, St. John Health had told me I cannot use my personal computer at work even though other doctors do plus it is critical for my Coroner responsibilities,” he stated in the post.
“They have essentially forced me to resign effective February 10 [2022] due to this prohibition.”
“I am prohibited by contract from saying anything derogatory about the hospital but you would think with all the recent publicity, they would have been honored to be associated with me. Nothing above is derogatory. It is just factual,” the statement said.
Blue was elected as Teton County Coroner in 2014 and won reelection in 2018. His current term expires Jan. 1, 2023.
