FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2018
My office was notified of the death of Shelly D. Rogers at St. Joseph Medical Center in Kansas City on October 5, 2018 at 10:41 AM. By law, this is the appropriate time to notify the Coroner as my office has no jurisdiction until a death has been pronounced.
On the same date, a family member of Ms. Rogers contacted me with their concern that her death was the result of a violent crime. I immediately requested the assistance of the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office (JCMEO) to conduct a physical examination, review of law enforcement reports and medical records, and autopsy. Starting with the response of law enforcement and EMS to Ms. Rogers in Amoret on October 1, 2018, all records were received and reviewed by myself and JCMEO. This included each officer’s report, witness statements, the EMS report, and the ER report; records and photographs were reviewed from St. Joseph Medical Center from initial admission throughout her inpatient stay until her death.
Reports from each consultant who attended to Ms. Rogers were reviewed and I personally spoke with the attending physician responsible for her care in Kansas City.
On the same date, a family member of Ms. Rogers contacted me with their concern that her death was the result of a violent crime. I immediately requested the assistance of the Jackson County Medical Examiner’s Office (JCMEO) to conduct a physical examination, review of law enforcement reports and medical records, and autopsy. Starting with the response of law enforcement and EMS to Ms. Rogers in Amoret on October 1, 2018, all records were received and reviewed by myself and JCMEO. This included each officer’s report, witness statements, the EMS report, and the ER report; records and photographs were reviewed from St. Joseph Medical Center from initial admission throughout her inpatient stay until her death.
Reports from each consultant who attended to Ms. Rogers were reviewed and I personally spoke with the attending physician responsible for her care in Kansas City.
At this time, the autopsy report is not finalized as some routine test results are not yet available. However, based on the preliminary findings of the autopsy, physical examination, medical records and toxicology of Ms. Rogers, it is evident that Ms. Rogers’ death is not the result of a homicide. The cause of her death was clearly identified by the pathologist, and correlates directly to the diagnosis of Ms. Rogers during her hospital stay.
As the investigation is not final, I will continue to examine any evidence provided in connection to Ms. Rogers’ death. I will issue a final report once I consider the investigation concluded.
I wish the public to be informed that at this time, the death is not considered to be homicide.
Greg D. Mullinax
Coroner of Bates County
Coroner of Bates County
