Coroner Office

ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE

Macon-Bibb County Coroner’s Office

111 Third St Macon, GA 31201.

Coroner – Leon Jones
Office: (478) 803-4190
Fax (478) 621-6015

Coroner Leon Jones
(478)803-4195

Gaye Wood
(478) 803- 4195
gwood@maconbibb.us

Ronnie Miley
(478) 803-4192

Lonnie Miley
(478) 803-4191

 

Purchasing Autopsy Reports

If you feel it is necessary to have a printed copy of the case report, copies will be furnished  for a minimal fee.

If the family desires a copy of the GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) Medical Examiner’s autopsy report, you must contact the Department of Forensic Sciences, Georgia Bureau of Investigation in Decatur, Georgia.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Phone: (404) 270-8527

Coroner’s Jurisdiction.

The Coroner’s office is a twenty-four hour a day, seven-day a week operation which investigates and determines Cause and Manner of Death. Coroner Leon Jones and his staff investigate cases of homicide, suicide, accident and all natural deaths that are sudden, unexpected or medically unattended. The Coroner’s office is charged by Georgia Law to determine the Cause and Manner of Death by an extensive investigation which may include a post-mortem examination. This investigation is independent of the sheriff, police and/or fire departments but is done in conjunction with those other entities.

A post-mortem examination (autopsy) is ordered by this office only when it is vital in the determination of Cause and Manner of Death. When ordered by this office, a charge for the autopsy is never incurred by the family.

Our autopsies are only performed by a Board Certified Forensic Pathologist. Autopsies do not preclude an open casket viewing.

Mission and Goals

To provide investigations into all deaths requiring a public inquiry (including Coroner Inquests), and to determine and record the cause and manner of death in order to affix responsibility and protect public health and safety.

There exists an ever-growing influence of drugs and drug-related crimes and deaths, thus making it more and more important for the Coroner’s Office to be made up of well-trained, educated individuals who are dedicated to investigating all suspected deaths and completing death reports, as well as working with Law Enforcement agencies, the District Attorney’s Office, and the Child Abuse Protocol Committee in studying the facts having to do with all deaths as to cause and manner. It continues to be very important that everyone in the Coroner’s office regularly attend educational seminars to keep abreast of any new advances in Death Investigation as they are developed.

Death Prevention Efforts

In the area of death prevention, the Coroner’s Office continues to take an active part in ascertaining areas of danger in Bibb County. Communication is maintained with Elected Officials and the Department of Transportation to increase awareness of Bibb County’s needs. The Coroner’s Office continues to work closely with the Judicial System, Law Enforcement Officials, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to prevent juvenile killings and help determine ways to keep juvenile offenders out of the State Prison System. Coroner Leon Jones and his Deputies have given over 88 speeches and interactive discussions in public/ private school classrooms, churches, and other civic associations in the 2009 calendar year alone. Drinking and Driving issues, Gun Safety, Drug Prevention, and Gang violence are just some of the issues addressed. The Bibb County Coroner’s office is also diligently working with the (Georgia) North Central Health District, Macon-Bibb first responders, hospitals, mortuaries, school systems, etc. to tackle health issues in the middle Georgia area if and when a worldwide Pandemic Influenza outbreak should occur.

International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners Accreditation

The Bibb County Coroner’s Office was awarded a certificate of Accreditation by the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners at the annual convention in York, Pennsylvania in June, 2006. Bibb County is the only Coroner’s Office in Georgia to be accredited by the IAC&ME’s International Standards. There are 130 standards in four areas: Administrative, Forensics, Investigative and Facilities that must be met in order to become certified. The International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (www.theiacme.com) was established in 1927 to promote educational seminars for the purpose of assisting Coroners and Medical Examiners in the performance of their duties. The Association is committed to advancing the accurate determination of the cause and manner of death through utilization of science, medicine and law. Membership includes coroners and medical examiners from countries around the world.

On completion of our Coroner’s investigation and  post-mortem examination, the Coroner or his Deputy, upon delivery of a death certificate initiated by the Funeral Home, will complete said death certificate and return the certificate to the Funeral Director who is then  responsible for having it certified. The death certificate is then made available to the family following the funeral or services. After that initial period, copies may be purchased from the Macon-Bibb County Department of Vital  Records by calling  478-749-0102. The department of Vital Records is located in the Macon-Bibb County Health Department complex at 171 Emery Highway, Macon, Georgia.
Identification of Deceased

If a positive identification is necessary, the Coroner or Deputy Coroner will notify you of the procedure and where to report.  If  you are a Bibb County Resident you will be notified in person.

The Bibb County Coroner’s Office is located at 617 Mulberry St., Room 402-A, Macon, Georgia (in the Bibb County Courthouse), corner of Mulberry and Second Streets.  The building is a secure facility and as such, you or your family will be subjected to a security check at the door by the Bibb County Sheriff Department’s Security.

If any personal items of the deceased are retained by the Coroner’s Office, you must possess and present a current photo identification card to pick up such items. Any prescription medications collected during our investigation will be destroyed following the investigation and not returned to the family.

The next of Kin  is defined in the following hierarchy:

  1. Spouse – is a husband or wife who are legally married, separated but, not divorced.
  2. Children of the deceased over 18 years of age.
  3. Parents
  4. Siblings

Remains of the  deceased will only be released to a Certified Funeral Director.  It is important for the Next of Kin   to select a Funeral Director as soon as possible and  notify this office of the selection.

If a positive identification is necessary, the Coroner or Deputy Coroner will notify you of  the procedure and where to report.  If you are a Bibb County Resident you will be notified in person.
The Bibb County Coroner’s Office is located at 617 Mulberry St., Room 402-A, Macon, Georgia (in  the Bibb County Courthouse), corner of Mulberry and Second Streets. The building is a secure facility and as such, you or your family will be subjected to a security check at the door by the Bibb County Sheriff Department’s Security.

If any personal items of the deceased are retained by the Coroner’s Office, you must possess and present a current photo identification card to pick up such items. Any prescription medications collected during our investigation will be destroyed following the investigation and not returned to the family.