Missy is a registered nurse (RN), Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), Certified Forensic Nurse (CFN), nationally certified Death Investigator (ABMDI), and Certified Coroner through the Kentucky Department of Justice.

She became Coroner after the retirement of long time Coroner Doug Stith in 2017. Prior to her appointment as Coroner she worked under the direction of Doug Stith as a Deputy Coroner since August of 2011. At that time she also worked at St. Elizabeth Healthcare as an RN with most of her tenure in the Emergency Department for 25 years. She chose Forensic Nursing as a specialty within the Emergency Department and has furthered her education specific to Forensic Nursing.

Forensic Nursing is a specialty recognized by the American Nurses Association and is gaining momentum nationally and internationally. Forensic Nursing practice is the application of nursing science to public or legal proceedings. Forensic Nurses investigate real and potential causes of morbidity and mortality in a variety of settings. Skills of the Forensic Nurse include: assessment, unprejudiced documentation, preservation of evidence, and the ability to provide testimony in a court of law as either a fact or expert witness. The Forensic Nurse has specialized education in the investigation of trauma and/or death related to abuse, violence, criminal activity, suicide, and accidents. Forensic Nurses ensure that dignity, caring, preservation and protection of human rights extend beyond death.

Missy’s qualifications for the role of Coroner Have worked as Deputy Coroner and/or Coroner since 2011 Extensive training in injury identification and documentation Clear understanding of injury types including blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, and/or self-inflicted injury Years of experience in assessment of the human body Specialized training and experience in death investigation of children and infants Physical and clinical care of the decedent as well as providing respect and dignity Provide compassion and care to the living loved ones through listening, providing information, answering questions, and being readily accessible Have completed over 600 death investigations including homicide, suicide, accidental, natural, and undetermined Possess a clear understanding of differences between disease and injury Fill the gap between medicine and law Provide an objective factual account of the event Thorough scene investigation by looking for the presence or absence of specific signs, symptoms, medications, and/or treatments Have developed strong working relationships with community partners including local coroners, law enforcement, emergency medical system, disaster management, the Northern Ky Health Department, and the state medical examiner’s office Updated the office through the use of available technology including data collection tools, electronic records, coroner notification of death, etc.