About

Coroner's Office Staff and Facilities

The scene, the examination of the body (external examination or internal examination), along with researching the history/background of the decedent all work together to provide the most accurate cause and manner of death. This can only be accomplished with a devoted team of investigators.

The Coroner is on duty 24/7/365 with assistance from 2 full-time investigators and 1 part-time investigator. The Coroner’s Office is contracted with 2 board certified forensic pathologists who assist in performing autopsies or consulting on Coroner cases that do not require an autopsy.

The Skagit County Coroner’s Office staff are involved in a variety of activities in order to fulfill the required state statutes involving this office. These include responding to and investigating various death scenes, performing postmortem examinations, confirming identification, certifying the cause and manner of death, and providing information and assistance to families. Deputy Coroner’s as well as the Coroner work to communicate directly with the families which includes reviewing the findings and answering the many questions that accompany a sudden or traumatic loss of life.

Staff:

Alex Lathum
Skagit County Coroner
WA State Certified Medicolegal Forensic Investigator
September 2026 - present 

Alex Lathum was appointed as the Interim Skagit County Coroner in September 2026. Alex was previously the lead microbiologist for the Washington State Department of Health Public Health Lab. Alex has received state certification from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission as a Certified Medicolegal Forensic Investigator. Prior to being appointed as Interim Coroner, Alex volunteered with the office to gain a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a coroner. Alex has a master's degree in mathematics, a bachelor's degree in astrophysics, and a minor in microbiology. In his spare time, Alex plays classical guitar and volunteers as a musician for local high school musicals. 

Britt Flickinger, D-ABMDI
Medicolegal Death Investigator II
Full-Time
ABMDI and WA State Certified Medicolegal Forensic Investigator
2018 - present 

Britt Flickinger has been employed with Skagit County Coroner’s Office since June 2018 and was the first full time investigator to be hired in October 2022. In addition to investigating death scenes, she also assists the pathologist as an Autopsy Technician. Britt is certified with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Britt is also a member of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME). Britt received a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Washington State University with a minor in Criminal Justice. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and friends, especially in the beautiful Pacific Northwest outdoors.

Caitlyn Borthwick, D-ABMDI
Medicolegal Death Investigator II
Full-Time
ABMDI and WA State Certified Medicolegal Forensic Investigator
2022 - present 

Caitlyn Borthwick was born and raised in Skagit County. She received a bachelor’s degree in cellular, molecular, and developmental biology from the University of Washington with elective focus on public/global health and infectious disease. She started her internship with the Skagit County Coroner’s office in September of 2020 and has enjoyed serving the community she grew up in ever since. She is currently employed as a Deputy Coroner and operates as a death scene investigator and autopsy technician. She is a member of the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (IACME) and is ABMDI and Washington State certified. Although she is no longer a resident of Skagit County, she can be found spending time with her husband and raising her two young sons in the valley, a place that will always feel like home.

Georgia Kettrick, D-ABMDI
Medicolegal Death Investigator I
Part-Time/On-Call
ABMDI and WA State Certified Medicolegal Forensic Investigator
2024 - present 

Georgia Kettrick has been employed as an on- call investigator with the Skagit County Coroner's Office since October of 2024 following a year-long internship with the office. Georgia received a bachelor's degree in Biological Anthropology from Western Washington University and is currently attending Grand Canyon University with a focus in Forensic Science. Georgia is certified with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) and the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. 

Mission and Goals of the Skagit County Coroner’s Office

The Skagit County Coroner’s Office is an independent agency who serves the residents of Skagit County by investigating the facts and circumstances concerning the deaths of those who have died suddenly, violently, or unexpectedly while in apparent good health within the geographic boundaries of the county. The goal of this office is to serve the citizens of Skagit County with the highest degree of compassion, professionalism, and integrity regarding those who have died within Skagit County.

 To achieve this mission, the Skagit County Coroner’s Office will:

• Treat decedents and their property with dignity and respect and without discrimination.
• Conduct investigations and autopsies professionally, scientifically, and conscientiously.
• Research and implement new procedures to better investigate death scenes.
• Promote and maintain adequate staffing levels in order to provide all mandated services.
• Promote and maintain an emotionally and physically healthy and safe working environment for all staff.
• Promote and provide adequate equipment, training, and support to all staff.
• Provide assistance, training, and education to all agencies requesting our services.
• Provide a statistical annual report of deaths within the county.
• Prepare and plan for mass casualty incidents.
• Provide for disposition of unclaimed, indigent citizens in accordance with RCW 36.39.030.
• Strive to increase proficiency and professionalism of all staff members through training.