Coroners in Colorado have the opportunity to become Certified Death Investigators through the Colorado Coroners Association. The Colorado Coroners Association was formed in 1988 with the goal of providing continuing education for Colorado Coroners. At the National level, the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) under the National Institute of Justice has a professional certification program for MDI’s. In the state of Colorado, Douglas County maintains the most nationally certified death investigators.
Lauren Stockton, AA, F-ABMDI – Manager of Coroner Administration, Medicolegal Death Investigator III
Lauren has been a team member of the Coroner’s Office since 2009, serving the citizens as a Death Investigator and the Manager of the office. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Coroner Romann stated she would not run for the office of the Coroner unless Lauren continued on with the office. She is proud to be a Colorado native and has resided in Douglas County for the last 20 years. Lauren takes pride in serving in Douglas County and enjoys exploring the place she calls home. [email protected]
Jessica Carlos, MS, BA, F-ABMDI – Senior Forensic Investigator
Jessica serves as a Senior Forensic Medicolegal Death Investigator, Board Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. She has been a proud member of the Douglas County Coroner’s Office since 2011. Jessica also serves the office as an on-call supervisor and specializes in child death investigations. Her work is a true calling, and she has dedicated her education and professional career to public service. She continually recognizes her work as a distinct privilege and greatly respects her capacity to witness the courage and vigor that loved ones exhibit during and after their time of grief. She holds genuine compassion for all that she serves and is continually grateful to work in Douglas County. [email protected]
Jill Carey, AAS, F-ABMDI– Senior Forensic Investigator
Jill came to Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2017 after serving in Adams County. Her education is in criminal justice and she is also Board Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. She is called upon by FEMA to respond nationally, and internationally as a member of the Disaster Mortuary Response Team (D-MORT). Jill also serves the organization as the MDI training officer, and on-call supervisor, and prides herself on her attention to detail. Her colleagues admire her for being “on point” at all times. Jill has received numerous thank you notes for her professionalism and gratefulness for her service. While off duty, you can find her spending time with her husband and pets. [email protected]
Sara Lemere, BSN, RN, F-ABMDI – Investigator III
Sara started with Douglas County in 2016 after completing a 2.5-year internship with the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. She is Board Certified by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators and has advanced her knowledge of medicine by obtaining a BSN degree from the University of Colorado in 2020. Sara is known to be extraordinarily personable with families and builds lifetime bonds. Her quick-witted humor uplifts us all. Medicolegal Death Investigators represent the voice of those that can no longer speak, which Sara feels honored and grateful to uphold. There is much acknowledgment and value placed in assisting the families of Douglas County. [email protected]
Elizabeth Ortiz, MS, BS, F-ABMDI – Investigator – III
I have a BS in Biology and Psychology. I also have an MS in Criminology. I am originally from El Paso, TX, and moved to Colorado over 25 years ago to follow my career choice. I love my adopted state and the career choice was a perfect fit for me, thus I excelled. I teach medicolegal death investigation/forensics at Regis University and internationally! International teaching in Mexico can be dangerous for my students because of corrupt law enforcement and drug cartels. Like me, they are eager in seeking truth and following through with justice; this takes dedicated training and teaching. Due to my passion and experienced insight into a medicolegal death investigation, I am a member of both the Colorado Coroners Association (CCA), and I’m a nationally selected Board Member for the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI). Finally, FEMA employs me to respond nationally, and internationally as a member of the Disaster Mortuary Response Team (D-MORT). [email protected]
Emily McKenzie, BS, D-ABMDI – Investigator II
Emily has been employed with Douglas County Coroner’s Office since 2019. She previously worked as a Lead Deputy Coroner for Sangamon County Coroner’s Office in Springfield IL. She has been working as a Medicolegal Death Investigator since 2013. Prior to her career in Death Investigation, she was a certified Histotechnician and worked as an autopsy assistant. Emily completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Law Enforcement and Justice Administration with a minor in Psychology from Western Illinois University. She is also a board-certified Diplomat with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Emily is a proud veteran of the United States Navy where she was an Aviation Machinist Mate. [email protected]
Martha Creazzo, BS, D-ABMDI – Investigator II
Martha started with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2020, changing careers after over 15 years in emergency medicine. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry and is a licensed Colorado Emergency Medical Technician. She is now certified as a Diplomat by the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Her previous experience in the Emergency Department proves indispensable when working with physicians and medical records. Martha specializes in assisting our Forensic Pathologist in the autopsy suite. When not serving the community, Martha enjoys all the outdoor activities our beautiful state has to offer, including live music, and traveling. [email protected]
Kristin Alldredge, BSN, RN, D-ABMDI – Investigator I
Kristin started working for Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2020. She is a registered nurse and worked many years in Labor and Delivery (seven years at Parker Adventist Hospital). She wanted a BIG change, and now works here! Outside of investigations, Kristin is a primary autopsy tech. She is a frequent speaker in high school classrooms explaining forensics, medicine, and the Coroner’s role. She has a calm and patient demeanor, and it is her mission to help families through their most difficult times. She loves living in Colorado. She enjoys baking cookies, playing drums, and doing DIY updates to her house. She plans to work here for many years to come. [email protected]
Taylor Lowry, BS – Investigator I
Taylor started with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2021. She works concurrently as an investigator at the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry with an emphasis in Forensics, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice / Criminology, and certification in Criminal Investigations. She thrives in a fast-paced environment and enjoys challenging cases. When not at work, she enjoys running, backpacking, and traveling. Taylor is a Colorado native who takes pride in serving the residents of Douglas County. [email protected]
Natalie Serle – Investigator I
Natalie started her career with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2022. As a current college student working on her master’s in forensic science, Natalie has been actively working towards a career in death investigations. Natalie comes from a family of service including military and law enforcement and found her path of service in helping find answers for families and being the voice for the deceased. In Natalie’s off time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and enjoys learning. [email protected]
Megan Souther , D-ABMDI – Investigator II
Megan started with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2022. She came to us from Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office where she also served as a Medicolegal Death Investigator. Megan long desired to be a part of the medical field and to help people, she just didn’t realize where that dream would take her. She found her path with those who can no longer speak their truths. Outside of work, Megan enjoys the summer months filled with camping, hiking, geocaching, etc., and during the winter months, you can find her snowboarding and shredding powder on the slopes. She also enjoys the arts whether it be gazing or creating and spending time and traveling with my family and friends. [email protected]
Esmeralda Martinez – Autopsy Technician
Esmeralda (Esme) started with the Douglas County Coroner’s Office in 2022. This is her first year in the Autopsy Technician world, assisting our Pathologist with autopsies. She completed a one-year internship at Denver County Coroners’ Office through their NAFAT program and is also currently an Autopsy Technician for Jefferson County Coroner’s Office. She is currently a biology student at Metropolitan State University. Outside of being busy with work and school, she loves to stay active and get outdoors whenever she can, and do things she loves like hanging out with family and friends. [email protected]
Janet Weglarz – Volunteer
Janet is an office volunteer who has been working in the Coroner’s Office weekly for the past nine-plus years. She enjoys and admires the professionalism of the staff and is grateful for their trust and patience with her endless inquiries and learning curves! “They are a group like none other!” When Janet isn’t helping out at the Coroner’s office, you can find her volunteering at other places in Douglas County. Janet is more than a volunteer for the Coroner’s Office, she is part of our family and a vital asset to the organization. She has a one-in-a-million smile and is dressed for every holiday. [email protected]
