WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County has named a temporary Medical Examiner following an investigation that found failures by the current

Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu said in a memo to the county council on Tuesday, Sept. 3 that county administration is conducting a nationwide search for a new Medical Examiner.

In the meantime, the county will hire Dr. Aldo Fusaro on an interim basis, pending approval by the county medical society, Sheriff Donnell Tanksley and the county council.

My Bellingham Now previously reported on an investigation into improperly stored bodies at a local funeral home that found the Medical Examiner’s Office was at fault. The current examiner, Dr. Allison Hunt, will continue to work with the county until Dr. Fusaro is officially approved.

Dr. Fusaro previously served as Associate Medical Examiner in King County for 12 years before being hired as the Deputy Medical Examiner for Montana in 2017.

After his approval, Dr. Fusaro will split his time between Montana and Whatcom County, with local pathologists performing autopsies during the weeks he’s out of the state.

Fusaro is expected to begin his interim role with the county following the council’s next meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 10.