Dorchester County, SC Coroner's Office

06/01/2026

As temperatures continue to rise across the Lowcountry, the Dorchester County Coroner’s Office encourages everyone to take heat safety seriously.

Heat-related illness can happen quickly, especially for children, older adults, outdoor workers, and pets.

Heat safety reminders:
• Stay hydrated throughout the day
• Avoid prolonged outdoor activity during peak afternoon heat
• Never leave children or pets in a parked vehicle
• Wear lightweight clothing
• Check on elderly family members and neighbors
• Take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned areas

Signs of heat-related illness may include dizziness, headache, nausea, confusion, rapid heartbeat, or loss of consciousness.

If someone is experiencing signs of heat stroke, call 9-1-1 immediately.

05/18/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, all Dorchester County Administrative Offices, Convenience Centers, Dorchester County Libraries and book drops, and Dorchester County Courts will be closed Monday, May 25, 2026. Dorchester County Libraries and book drops will also be closed on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Dorchester County Parks will remain open for their regular hours of operation.

Dorchester County offices will resume regular operating business hours on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

We also welcome the public to join us for the annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, 2026, at 10 a.m., at Davis-Bailey Park Pavilion as we honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

05/15/2026

⚠️ Drug Threat Alert: Cychlorphine ⚠️

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office is alerting the community about cychlorphine, a highly potent synthetic opioid that has been linked to multiple deaths across the United States. While our office has not identified any deaths directly associated with this substance in Dorchester County at this time, reports involving cychlorphine continue to increase nationwide.

Cychlorphine is especially dangerous because it:
• May be more potent than fentanyl
• Is often mixed with other substances without the user’s knowledge
• May require multiple doses of naloxone (Narcan) during an overdose response
• May not appear on standard toxicology or drug screening tests

What you should know:
• Be aware of the risks associated with illicit or unknown substances
• Never use alone and carry naloxone if available
• Call 9-1-1 immediately if an overdose is suspected

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office remains committed to promoting public awareness, education, and community safety. Staying informed can save lives.

Dorchester County Coroner’s Office is an approved Narcan distribution facility.

ONDCP Drug Threat Notice: Cychlorphine, a synthetic opioid involved in at least 55 deaths, has potential to spread across Nation. Read more

05/04/2026

04/14/2026

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Tri-County Biological Science Center for hosting an informative and engaging tour.

This opportunity brought together Dorchester, Charleston, and Berkeley counties to learn more about the innovative work being done to advance science, research, and public health across our region.

We value partnerships like these that strengthen collaboration and support continued education for our team and neighboring agencies.

Thank you again for your time, knowledge, and commitment to making a difference in our community!

04/14/2026

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office is proud to share that Lynn Patrick, Opioid Reduction Program Coordinator, attended the Rx Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, on behalf of Dorchester County.

This national conference brings together professionals from across the country to address the opioid crisis through prevention, education, and collaboration. Lynn participated in sessions focused on overdose prevention, emerging drug trends, and strengthening community response efforts.

Her attendance supports our ongoing commitment to reducing opioid-related deaths and serving our community with informed, proactive approaches.

Thank you, Lynn, for representing Dorchester County and continuing this important work.💙

03/30/2026

The Coroner's Administrative Office will be closed as part of the April 3rd Good Friday Holiday. If you need immediate assistance during the closure or any time after hours, call 843-873-5111 and ask to speak to the on-call deputy coroner. the administrative office will reopen on Monday, April 6th.

In observance of Good Friday, the following offices will be closed on Friday, April 3:

Administrative Offices
Courts
Libraries and book drops
Dorchester County Libraries and book drops will also be closed on April 4 and 5.

Offices will reopen on Monday, April 6.

03/29/2026

Lynn Patrick, our opioid reduction program coordinator is here at the Flowertown Festival distributing Narcan and answering your questions in an effort to reduce opioid related deaths.

03/17/2026

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office had a great time participating in Career Day at East Edisto Middle School.

Deputy Kimble and Administrative Support Specialist Melissa enjoyed speaking with students, answering questions, and sharing what it means to serve our community.

Thank you to East Edisto Middle School for having us.

03/16/2026

The Dorchester County Coroner’s Office had a great time participating in the Shamrock Shuffle 5K with the Summerville Family YMCA.

Our team enjoyed getting out, staying active, and connecting with the community. We even had one of our youngest supporters join the fun. Thank you to the Summerville Family YMCA, and everyone who helped make this such a fun event! 🍀🏃‍♀️