Lawrence County Coroner's Office

06/18/2024

PRESS RELEASE 6/17/2024:

Shortly before 6AM this morning, Lawrence County 911 received report of a residential structure fire with an individual unable to self-extricate from the residence at 96 Stanley Street in Proctorville. Proctorville Fire Department with the assistance of Lawrence County EMS and multiple other local fire departments arrived on scene shortly thereafter to find the residence full of smoke and multiple rooms in flames. Adrienne L. Goodwin, 32 of Proctorville, was located within the residence and extricated by firefighters after she had already succumbed to smoke inhalation. Ms. Goodwin had suffered from chronic health problems and had limited mobility. The Ohio Fire Marshall was called to the scene and the cause of the fire remains under investigation. The investigation by the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office remains ongoing, however the preliminary cause of death has been determined to be smoke inhalation with no signs of foul play. We remind the public to routinely check the functionality of their smoke detectors. Our prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends during this time of grieving such a tragic loss.

05/02/2024

Formal Press Release:

Subject: Deceased person found in Ohio River, April 27th, 2024, Lawrence County Ohio

02/27/2024

Further information pending full autopsy and toxicology/lab testing. Please be patient and understanding as this process is not a quick one. Final autopsy results will pend entirely on lab testing which typically takes 6-8 weeks to be thoroughly completed. Our prayers continue to be with the family, friends, community, and first responders involved in this tragedy.

09/27/2023

***PRESS BRIEFING: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
RE: Fire Victim Identified in Lawrence County, OH

A short time after midnight on September 22, a 911 call was received reporting an active structure fire at the address of 31 Private Drive 523 off County Road 22, Ironton, OH. Units from Upper Township Fire Department, Lawrence County EMS, and Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office responded to find a mobile home fully engulfed in flames. Once extinguished, during the overhaul process of the residual structure, firefighters unexpectedly discovered the remains of an unidentified individual. The structure had been reported as abandoned and uninhabitable. It is not believed that there were working smoke detectors in the trailer. Upon discovery, investigators from the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office and Ohio State Fire Marshall’s Office responded to the scene to begin investigation and recovery. The unidentified individual was transported for autopsy at the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office and further attempts at identification were initiated. Autopsy revealed evidence of prior orthopedic surgical hardware which was able to be linked to confirm the identity as 42-year-old Randy L. Newcomb of Ironton, OH. Mr. Newcomb is believed to have family connections to the trailer. While foul play is not currently suspected, the case remains under investigation by both the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office and Fire Marshall to determine cause of death and cause of the blaze. The Lawrence County Coroner’s Office would like to thank our investigative partners at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, Ohio State Fire Marshall’s Office, and Upper Township Fire Department for their hard work, dedication, and corroboration to make a quick positive identification amid such a tragic situation. The public is encouraged to check the status of their smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors at least semi-annually, particularly as we enter the upcoming colder months.

The Lawrence County Coroner’s Office is led by Coroner Benjamin Mack, MD and Chief Investigator Drew Artis, ABMDI. The Lawrence County Coroner’s Office is led by Sheriff Jeff Lawless. The Montgomery County Coroner's Office is led by Kent Harshbarger, MD JD MBA.

03/15/2023

02/22/2023

11/16/2022

Based on predictive models of surrounding counties, the highlighted WV counties are considered high risk for an increase in overdose activity in the next 36 hours. Illicit drugs are unpredictable and lethal.

If you or a loved one uses drugs, do not use alone and have naloxone nearby. Naloxone can be obtained from your local pharmacy or health department. Call 1-844-HELP4WV to access treatment and recovery resources.

09/03/2022

02/18/2022

Dr. Mack shares with WSAZ our experience locally as Ohio Attorney General's Office shares study data highlighting the timing of opioid overdose deaths.

In the second quarter of 2020, more Ohioans died of opioid overdoses than at any point since 2010.

11/19/2021

Dr. Mack sharing the alarming continued number of OD deaths we've experienced this year.

“If we keep them sober for an additional six months and assist them in staying sober with employment opportunities and transportation, we are finding that 80% of our clients will maintain sobriety for a year, at minimum,” said Lawrence County Recovery Executive Director Kathy Ross.

06/01/2021

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

On the afternoon of Saturday May 29th, the Lawrence County Coroner's Office was notified of the discovery of a deceased individual in the vicinity of the Locust Grove Cemetery on Greasy Ridge Road in Willowood, OH. After extensive investigation and fingerprint confirmation, we have been able to identify the decedent as Elmo Dewayne Lykins, age 47, of West Liberty, Kentucky. The remains were found a significant distance away from an abandoned vehicle which was indirectly linked to Mr. Lykins. Preliminary autopsy findings, in cooperation with the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, do not demonstrate any signs of foul play at this time. Formal cause of death will be made at a later date pending final laboratory testing.

No further information is currently available.

Our office would like to thank the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Kentucky State Police, and Montgomery County Coroner's Office for their assistance in the ongoing investigation.