SHAWANO, WI – Shawano County will soon have a much closer option for autopsies, as Coroner Brian Westfahl announced plans to begin utilizing the new Marathon County Forensic Science Center starting in 2026. Westfahl told county officials that most autopsies this year had to be transported to Fond du Lac or Madison, and the new Wausau-area facility will greatly reduce travel time and speed up results.
The county’s public safety committee approved the agreement this week, with autopsy costs expected to remain consistent at roughly $1,800 each.
The center, which opened in August, is one of only eight forensic facilities in Wisconsin and was designed in part to address a nationwide shortage of forensic pathologists.
In his November report, Westfahl also noted 20 cremations for the month and provided updated year-to-date totals for hospice deaths, suicides, traffic fatalities, and the county’s single homicide.
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