Mohave County Supervisor Unveils Innovative Medical Examiner Service Proposal

Mohave County is on the brink of a significant change regarding its Medical Examiner’s office. After three years of uncertainty, the Board of Supervisors plans to vote next week on renewing a contract with the Serenity Memorial Group, which has managed the office since 2021. If approved, a one-year contract worth $98,500 per month could take effect on December 1.

However, Supervisor Travis Lingenfelter has introduced a new proposal. He suggests that Kingman Regional Medical Center (KRMC) could offer its morgue and autopsy facilities instead of renewing with Serenity. Lingenfelter submitted his proposal along with a letter of interest from KRMC President Heath Evans, which outlines a potential commercial lease for a facility near the medical center.

Evans emphasized that such an arrangement would benefit both the county and KRMC, providing cost efficiency and stability. “The Mohave County Board of Supervisors would benefit greatly from a relationship with a well-established entity,” he stated.

The county has allocated $1.11 million annually for staffing and facilities related to medical examiner services. This funding could potentially support a lease agreement with KRMC.

Lingenfelter has called for county staff to explore the advantages of this proposal and report back to the Board within 90 days. Notably, Mohave County remains the only county in Arizona to rely on a private contractor, Serenity Memorial Group, for medical examiner services.

This unusual arrangement began in 2021 when the former Medical Examiner, Archaeus Mosley, retired. At that time, Serenity Memorial Group’s President, John Hassett, was the sole respondent to multiple requests for interest from potential providers.

The involvement of Hassett, who owned nearly ten funeral homes in the county, raised concerns about conflicts of interest from local businesses and residents. Earlier this year, issues prompted an investigation by the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office. Testimonies revealed allegations of improper storage of remains and long wait times for autopsies.

Lingenfelter has expressed gratitude to Hassett for his past service but clarified that the agreement with Serenity was intended to be temporary. The upcoming vote will determine if the county will pursue the potential lease with KRMC or continue its current arrangement.

The Board is scheduled to make this crucial decision at its meeting in Kingman on Monday.