SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Skagit County commissioners have appointed a new coroner.

Alex Lathum will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Coroner Hayley Thompson, who is stepping down Sept. 18.

Lathum brings a public health and science background to the position.

He most recently worked as a lead microbiologist with the Washington Public Health Laboratory and has spent recent months volunteering with the Skagit County Coroner’s Office to learn its operations and responsibilities.

Commissioners selected Lathum following interviews with candidates Friday morning, Sept. 11 in Mount Vernon.

Lathum will serve until the November 2026 election results are certified. He was also the only candidate in this year’s race for coroner to advance through the primary election and is currently the lone candidate on the November ballot.

The winner of that election will then take office as coroner.