County commissioners on Monday named Dr. Joseph H. Brandabur as the interim coroner. The Butler County Republican Party has 45 days to name a replacement to fill out the remainder of Burkhardt’s term.
Burkhardt gave no reason in the letter why he was stepping down and could not be reached for comment Monday. He had already announced he was not seeking re-election this year. Republican Lisa Mannix is running unopposed for the seat.
Commissioner Don Dixon said Mannix was not selected because she was out of the country.
Burkhardt, 74, was first elected coroner in 1979. The University of Cincinnati Medical School graduate also practiced family medicine in Hamilton from 1968-1992.
Burkhardt’s office came under fire in recent years. In 2007, Burkhardt admitted responsibility for his office mixing up the bodies of two deceased women, who were then buried by the wrong families.
In 2011, Burkhardt surrendered his federal license to write prescriptions after failing to document prescriptions he had written for the relative of an office worker.
In a 2008 JournalNews profile, Burkhardt said he had investigated more than 9,000 deaths, attended approximately 4,700 autopsies and had investigated 336 homicides and 933 motor vehicle crash deaths.
“I think he missed his true calling as a teacher,” said Debbie Lacey, an investigator for the coroner’s office. “How he kept all that information in his head never ceased to amaze me. He was honorable to no end.”
Staff Writer Lauren Pack contributed to this report.
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