Coroner: Cass County recorded 833 cases in 2025; fentanyl leads drug deaths
June 16, 2026 | Cass County, North Dakota
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The coroner presented the office's 2025 annual report to the Cass County Commission, saying the office processed 833 cases last year and conducted 453 scene investigations and 165 autopsies. "Of the 833 cases that we had in 2025, 453 of those cases were investigated ... We had 165 cases that we autopsied," the coroner said.
The report said 380 deaths were deemed not reportable to the coroner's office and that autopsy numbers have risen as the office follows national guidance. The coroner noted that the office automatically performs autopsies on suicides and conducts limited external examinations in other cases. Two staff members now hold board certification: "Natalie Basta passed her board certification ... to be a fellow with the American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators," the coroner reported.
On substance-related deaths, the coroner said 63 deaths in 2025 involved drugs and that fentanyl is the most frequent contributor. "Fentanyl is definitely the highest number of deaths involving drugs," the coroner said, adding that methamphetamine and alcohol-related deaths also remain high. The coroner credited public access to naloxone with reducing fatalities: without it, deaths could be "probably double."
The coroner also described a significant number of cross-jurisdiction cases that travel to Sanford's level-one trauma center and then fall under Cass County jurisdiction for investigation and autopsy; in 2025 the office handled roughly 140 Minnesota-origin cases and dozens from other counties. The coroner said those transfers increase workload and currently receive no compensation from originating counties.
The office said it is nearly fully staffed after hiring a victim-witness coordinator, has temporary employees helping reduce paper files, and will request an additional full-time position in the 2026 budget. The coroner emphasized family services improvements, including informational packets and referrals to support organizations, and ongoing community education with nursing homes and schools.
The coroner concluded by offering to supply the commissioners with the full 15-page annual report by email and by noting ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and fire agencies on scene response.
The commission did not take formal action; the report will inform budget and staffing discussions ahead of next year's requests.
The report said 380 deaths were deemed not reportable to the coroner's office and that autopsy numbers have risen as the office follows national guidance. The coroner noted that the office automatically performs autopsies on suicides and conducts limited external examinations in other cases. Two staff members now hold board certification: "Natalie Basta passed her board certification ... to be a fellow with the American Board of Medical Legal Death Investigators," the coroner reported.
On substance-related deaths, the coroner said 63 deaths in 2025 involved drugs and that fentanyl is the most frequent contributor. "Fentanyl is definitely the highest number of deaths involving drugs," the coroner said, adding that methamphetamine and alcohol-related deaths also remain high. The coroner credited public access to naloxone with reducing fatalities: without it, deaths could be "probably double."
The coroner also described a significant number of cross-jurisdiction cases that travel to Sanford's level-one trauma center and then fall under Cass County jurisdiction for investigation and autopsy; in 2025 the office handled roughly 140 Minnesota-origin cases and dozens from other counties. The coroner said those transfers increase workload and currently receive no compensation from originating counties.
The office said it is nearly fully staffed after hiring a victim-witness coordinator, has temporary employees helping reduce paper files, and will request an additional full-time position in the 2026 budget. The coroner emphasized family services improvements, including informational packets and referrals to support organizations, and ongoing community education with nursing homes and schools.
The coroner concluded by offering to supply the commissioners with the full 15-page annual report by email and by noting ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and fire agencies on scene response.
The commission did not take formal action; the report will inform budget and staffing discussions ahead of next year's requests.
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