Who Is Price County’s New Coroner? What Amy Casey&#821

Last updated: May 2026

By Price County Fun Editorial Team| May 27, 2026

On April 10, Governor Tony Evers appointed Amy Casey as Price County Coroner, filling the vacancy left by the death of James D. Dalbesio III, who had held the office since June 1992.

The appointment received a brief mention in the Price County Review, but no one has explained who Casey is, what the coroner actually does, or why the role matters to Price County residents. This article fills that gap.

The Coroner’s Job: More Than You Probably Think

Under Wisconsin Statute 979.01, the coroner is legally required to investigate any death that falls into specific categories — and the list is broader than most people realize.

The coroner must be notified for deaths involving:

Homicide, suicide, or deaths with unexplained, unusual, or suspicious circumstances
Accidents , whether or not the injury caused the death directly
Poisoning of any kind
Deaths where no physician was in attendance within 30 days
Deaths following an abortion
Any case where a physician refuses to sign the death record
Deaths under suspicious or unexplained circumstances (note: deaths in custody are reported under a separate statute, Wis. Stat. § 979.025)

In practice, this means the coroner is called to scenes including car crashes on Highway 13 and unattended deaths in rural homes to fatalities at the county jail. The coroner determines whether an autopsy is necessary, coordinates with law enforcement and the district attorney, and issues the official death record.

Price County does not have a medical examiner’s office , like most rural Wisconsin counties, it relies on an elected coroner. The coroner need not be a physician; the role is administrative and investigative, working with forensic pathologists when autopsies are required.

From Dalbesio to Casey: A 34-Year Legacy

James Dalbesio III served as Price County Coroner for nearly 34 years , from June 1992 until his death on February 10, 2026. His tenure spanned multiple sheriffs, district attorneys, and county boards. He handled death investigations through the AIDS crisis, the opioid epidemic, and the COVID-19 pandemic.

After Dalbesio’s death, an interim coroner managed the office while the governor’s office conducted a search for a permanent replacement. Governor Evers announced the search on February 23, and Amy Casey was selected from the applicant pool and appointed on April 10.

Casey brings a background that directly overlaps with the coroner’s duties: she has worked as a funeral director, a role that already involves death certification, coordination with families and law enforcement, and understanding of the legal requirements around disposition of remains. She had also served as deputy coroner under Dalbesio, giving her direct experience with the county’s death investigation procedures.

“I will be forever grateful for the guidance and mentoring I have received from James D. Dalbesio III,” Casey said in the governor’s press release. “I have big shoes to fill.”

What Happens Next

Casey’s appointment runs through January 4, 2027 , the end of Dalbesio’s unexpired term. Means Price County voters will elect a coroner in the November 2026 general election. Casey has not publicly stated whether she intends to run for a full term.

The coroner’s office operates on a modest budget. Unlike the sheriff’s office or district attorney, the coroner does not maintain a staff of investigators. In rural counties, the coroner often responds to scenes personally, sometimes in the middle of the night. The office is compensated per case rather than through a full-time salary . Wisconsin statute 979.11 governs compensation rates for coroners and their officers.

If Casey runs for election, the November ballot will ask Price County voters to decide whether to keep an appointee with funeral director experience and deputy coroner training, or to elect someone new. The coroner’s race will appear alongside the sheriff election , where Robert Hawn and Walt Madsen are competing to replace Sheriff Brian Schmidt , and the county board supervisor seats.

Why This Matters

The coroner is one of those offices most people never think about until they need it. But when a family member dies unexpectedly, the coroner determines how the death is classified, whether an autopsy is performed, and how quickly the death certificate is issued , all of which affects insurance claims, funeral arrangements, and criminal investigations.

Price County averages roughly 150 deaths per year, with approximately 20-30 requiring coroner investigation , unattended deaths, accidents, suicides, and the occasional homicide. The coroner’s findings can determine whether a case is closed or referred to the district attorney for prosecution.

Dalbesio handled these calls for three decades. Casey now steps into that role, with the first election of her tenure just six months away.

Sources

Governor Tony Evers, press release announcing Amy Casey appointment (April 10, 2026)
Wisconsin Statute 979.01 (Coroner duties and jurisdiction)
Wisconsin Statute 979.11 (Coroner compensation)
Price County Review, brief mention of Amy Casey appointment
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This article is part of Price County Fun’s ongoing coverage of local government and civic institutions. See also:Price County Passes Habitual Animal Offender Ordinance, Hears From New DA and Coronerand ourPrice County Board coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you use cryptocurrency in Price County?

Yes, Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice accepts Ripsaw Token (RIP) for tips and payments, making it Wisconsin’s first crypto-friendly bar. The Solana-based token can be used via Phantom or Solflare wallet.

Where is Price County Wisconsin?

Price County is in north-central Wisconsin, about 3 hours north of Madison and 2.5 hours northwest of Green Bay. The county seat is Phillips.

How do I find more information about Who Is Price County’s New Coroner?

For the latest updates on who is price county’s new coroner, visit pricecounty.fun — Price County’s independent news and information source.