Whatcom County medical examiner fired after a little more than a year on the job
Whatcom County Medical Examiner Dr. Aldo Fusaro was fired this week, less than 18 months after he was hired on an interim basis, and little morn than year after the County Council made his appointment official.
Fusaro’s last day was Friday, County Executive Satpal Sidhu told county employees in an email that was provided to The Bellingham Herald.
“I do not make these decisions lightly, and this one comes after serious deliberation and consultation,” Sidhu said. “Today, using my executive authority to address emergent needs and maintain continuity of operations, we will sign a contract with Forensic Pathology Services to maintain medical examiner duty coverage.”
Sidhu named Fusaro to the position on an interim basis in September 2024. Fusaro was approved unanimously for the post by the County Council in November 2024. He’s the second medical examiner let go in less than two years. A 2024 Herald investigation showed that bodies were being mishandled by Fusaro’s predecessor, Dr. Allison Hunt, and her contract was ended in 2024.
Whatcom County spokesman Jed Holmes told The Herald that the Executive’s Office has no additional comment.
Louise Trapp, who is operation manager in the Medical Examiner’s Office, will continue to provide “oversight and coordination” for the Medical Examiner’s Office.
“While I am not expecting any major service disruptions, I ask for your patience and grace with our staff as we work through this transition,” Sidhu said in the emial. “We will soon begin recruitment for a new medical examiner and will involve stakeholders in that process. We recognize the critical importance of this position, and it is with the public’s best interest in mind that we move forward.”
Editor’s note (Jan. 9): The headline for a previous version of this article misstated the length of Dr. Fusaro’s term as Whatcom County medical examiner.
This story was originally published January 9, 2026 at 4:07 PM.
