Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Serving the Community, Involving the Community Released July 11th, 2025

F1

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The Coroner's Office staff and volunteers perform exemplary service and maintain investigational integrity while operating in an antiquated, undersized, and poorly maintained 3 NamUS https://namus.nij.ojp.gov/ facility. Providing this professional and respectful service benefits the community, deceased individuals, and their families.

Related Recommendations (1)

R3

The Humboldt County Sheriff installs a locking system on the evidence/storage room door by October 15, 2025, that differentiates between users, records date and time of entry/exit, and identifies each individual accessing the room. For funding recommendations, see the wording below recommendation #3. (F9) Funding Recommendation: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff coordinate with the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to fund expenses specified in Recommendations R2 and R3 through appropriations in the upcoming fiscal year. Should funding prove insufficient, the Grand Jury recommends that the Humboldt County Sheriff and Board of Supervisors pursue additional funding from appropriate sources, including state or federal agencies. The Bureau of Justice Assistance offers grants through its Medical Examiner/Coroner System Program, as do the National Association of Medical Examiners and the Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grant Program. RESPONSES Pursuant to California Penal Code sections 933 and 933.05, each entity or individual named below must respond to the enumerated Findings and Recommendations within specific statutory guidelines. Responses to Findings shall be either: ● The respondent agrees with the finding; or ● The respondent disagrees wholly or partially with the finding; in which case the response shall specify the portion of the finding that is disputed and shall include an explanation of the reasons therefor. Responses to Recommendations shall be one of the following: ● The recommendation has been implemented, with a summary regarding the implemented action; or ● The recommendation has not yet been implemented, but will be implemented in the future, with a time frame for implementation; or ● The recommendation requires further analysis, with an explanation and the scope and parameters of an analysis or study, and a time frame for the matter to be prepared for discussion by the officer or head of the agency or department being investigated or reviewed, including the governing body of the public agency where applicable. This time frame shall not exceed six months from the date of the publication of the Grand Jury report; or ● The recommendation will not be implemented because it is not warranted or is not reasonable, with an explanation therefor. REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 60 DAYS The Humboldt County Sheriff (All findings, all recommendations) REQUIRED RESPONSE – WITHIN 90 DAYS The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors (All findings, all recommendations) Invited Responses The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury also invites the following entities or individuals to respond. The Humboldt County Department of Public Works (F1, F8, F9) and (R2, R3) Responses are to be sent to: The Honorable Judge Kelly L. Neel Humboldt County Superior Court 825 5th Street, Eureka, CA 95501 The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury PO Box 657, Eureka, CA 95502 A Reports issued by the Grand Jury do not identify individuals interviewed. Penal Code section 929 requires that reports of the Grand Jury not contain the name of any person or facts leading to the identity of any person who provides information to the Grand Jury.

F2

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury finds that: The Coroner’s Office staff and volunteers perform exemplary service and maintain investigational integrity while operating under severe budget and resource constraints. Providing this professional and respectful service benefits the community, deceased individuals, and their families.