Whatcom County finalizes hiring of medical examiner in wake of controversy over body storage
Dr. Aldo Fusaro was named the new Whatcom County medical examiner in a unanimous vote of the County Council on Wednesday.
Fusaro, who has served as interim medical examiner since September, replaces the forensic pathologist who was removed after allegations that bodies were left to decompose on at least one occasion in May. His appointment is effective Dec. 9.
Councilman Ben Elenbaas, who had been critical of the previous medical examiner, Dr. Allison Hunt, said he was part of an interview committee that selected Fusaro and called him “kind and insightful.”
“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Elenbaas said at Wednesday’s meeting.
Whatcom County officials conducted a nationwide search and heard from six applicants amid a tough market where there are between 40 and 50 medical examiner vacancies across the country, according to documents provided to the County Council.
Elenbaas, Councilman John Scanlon, Sheriff Donnell Tanksley and the Northwest Washington Medical Society participated in a screening process that also included law enforcement and fire service officials, officials who provide victim services, officials in the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the County Executive’s Office.
Fusaro and his staff could be Whatcom County employees instead of contract workers as has been the practice for more than three decades. A resolution to consider that step was introduced Wednesday for consideration at the council’s Nov. 19 meeting.
Fusaro has been deputy medical examiner for the Montana State Medical Examiner’s Office since 2017, according to a background report provided to the County Council.
Before taking the job in Montana, Fusao was associate medical examiner for King County from 2005 to 2017. Early in his career he served in the Office of the Cook County Medical Examiner, which includes Chicago. He has taught at the University of Washington School of Medicine and at Rush Medical College in Chicago.
This story was originally published November 11, 2024 at 9:43 AM.
