Medical Examiner Out, But Will Continue On Interim Basis

January 19, 2019

A state commission failed to reappoint District 1 Medical Examiner Dr. Andrea Minyard on Friday, but she is is back as substitute interim medical examiner.

The Florida Medical Examiner Commission did not reappoint Minyard, giving State Attorney Bill Eddins the authority to fill the post temporarily.

“In order to provide continuity of services, I have appointed Dr. Andrea Minyard as interim Medical Examiner. She will remain in that capacity until the Medical Examiners Commission conducts a search for a new Medical Examiner and recommends one to the Governor,” Eddins said in an email release.

Eddins sent a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis apprising him of his decision. (Click image to enlarge.)

Under Florida code, the Medical Examiners Commission must make a recommendation to the governor within six months.

The District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office serves Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.

Comments

5 Responses to “Medical Examiner Out, But Will Continue On Interim Basis”

  1. jack on January 21st, 2019 9:11 pm

    Wouldn’t be first time we tried to save money and ended up costing much more! Look at the jail where a simple fix following 2012 flood would have prevented it blowing up in 2014!

  2. William 2 on January 20th, 2019 8:55 pm

    Rex, that doesn’t seem exorbitant considering that she is serving multiple counties.

  3. Rex S on January 19th, 2019 11:54 am

    $673,xxx in salary and $1.1 million in professional fees might have something to do with it.

  4. Fred on January 19th, 2019 9:50 am

    I’m confused. I know she made a lot of money, but is she out of line with other medical examiners doing the same level of work and with the same record of efficiency and accuracy? What is the target price for these services? Is there already someone identified to take her place (doesn’t sound like it). Forensic examination of the dead (and please realize it’s not like TV, all forensics are painstaking and laborious processes. You don’t just walk up and say “yep, he’s dead.”), no matter the state of decomposition, is very difficult. You also have to provide reliable evidence and testimony that will stand up in criminal proceedings. What I haven’t heard is what exactly the county is looking for in a medical examiner that they’re not getting.

  5. Kate on January 19th, 2019 7:59 am

    There you go, small minded men making small stupid decisions. Ya’ll were lucky to have this women work here. Good luck you will not find anyone as competent, compassionate or as kind as Dr. Minyard. She has contributed greatly to the communities she served and has been gracious with public service. They ain’t paying NO WOMAN more than a man gets around here.