Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center

This has been an incredibly difficult week in Lehigh County. Tragically, the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center has responded to five deaths ruled as su***de.

Behind every number is a person, a family, friends, coworkers, and a community forever changed. Su***de leaves a lasting impact on everyone it touches.

Remember, if you are struggling, please know that you are not alone. There are people who care, who will listen, and who want to help. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. A single conversation can make all the difference.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of su***de or is in emotional distress, call or text 988 to reach the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline. Trained counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to provide free and confidential support.

On behalf of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones who are grieving unimaginable losses. Our thoughts are with each of you during this difficult time.

Let's continue to look out for one another. Compassion, kindness, and connection truly matter.

Yesterday, Community Outreach Deputy Miles Wildey welcomed several interns from the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office for a comprehensive tour of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center.

From forensic investigations and death scene response to autopsy procedures and the many services our office provides to the community, the group received an in-depth look at the important work performed by our dedicated team every day.

Is your school, organization, or community group looking for a unique educational experience? We'd love to host you!

In just 90 minutes, you'll experience an engaging PowerPoint presentation and behind-the-scenes tour of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center, offering a fascinating look into forensic death investigation—and leave with an experience you'll never forget.

To schedule a presentation and tour, contact the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center at 610-782-3426. Everyone is welcome!

Happy Fourth of July!

As you celebrate this holiday weekend with family, friends, cookouts, fireworks, and time on the water, we encourage everyone to make safety your top priority.

Our holiday wish is simple: We hope we don't have to meet you this weekend.

A few friendly reminders:

Leave the fireworks to the professionals—or at least keep all of your fingers.
If you're drinking, don't drive. A rideshare is much cheaper than the alternatives.
Stay hydrated and take breaks from the heat.
Keep a constant eye on children around water—there's no substitute for active supervision.
Don't forget your pets. Fireworks and extreme heat can be stressful and dangerous for them.

While the staff of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center will be on duty throughout the holiday weekend, our hope is that everyone celebrates responsibly, enjoys time with loved ones, and returns home safely.

From Coroner Daniel A. Buglio and the entire staff, we wish you a safe, enjoyable, and memorable Independence Day.

Celebrate responsibly. Make memories—not emergencies. Happy Fourth of July!

June came and June went and the monthly stats are completed.

While these numbers represent statistics, each number also represents a person, a family, friends, and a community forever impacted by loss. We never lose sight of the human lives behind the data, and we remain committed to serving every family with compassion, dignity, and professionalism.

We remain dedicated to transparency, accountability, and providing accurate information to the residents of Lehigh County and our partner agencies.

From Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio and the Staff of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center:

Dangerously high temperatures are expected over the coming days. Extreme heat can quickly become life-threatening, especially for older adults, young children, individuals with chronic medical conditions, outdoor workers, and those without access to air conditioning.

OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE:
We do not want to see a single heat-related death in our community.

Please take the following precautions:

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day.

• Stay in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.

• Check on elderly family members, neighbors, friends, and anyone who may be vulnerable to the heat.

• Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in a vehicle—even for a few minutes.

• Ensure pets have plenty of fresh water, shade, and a cool place to rest.

• If you work outdoors, take frequent breaks, stay hydrated, and watch for signs of heat-related illness.

• Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, including dizziness, confusion, nausea, weakness, heavy sweating, or loss of consciousness. If someone is experiencing signs of heat stroke, call 911 immediately.

A simple phone call or visit to check on someone could save a life.

Together, we can prevent these tragedies. Please help us protect our community during this dangerous heat wave.

CT Scanner Project Update: The end of the tunnel is in sight!

The transformation of our new CT Scanner suite is nearly complete. New lighting, flooring, electrical systems, HVAC, walls, and many other upgrades are coming together as we enter the final stages of construction.

We are excited to announce that the CT scanner is scheduled to arrive during the week of July 8, 2026!

This project represents a significant investment in advancing forensic investigations and enhancing the services we provide to our community and partner agencies. Importantly, this project was completed using non-taxpayer funding.

Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to bring this exciting new technology online. The future of forensic imaging in Lehigh County is almost here!

From the Staff of the Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center:

It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of Deputy Coroner Joel Bonilla of our neighboring partner agency, the Berks County Coroner's Office. We extend our deepest condolences to Deputy Bonilla's family, friends, and our colleagues at the Berks County Coroner's Office.

Please know that your Lehigh County family stands with you during this difficult time and mourns alongside you.

Rest easy, Deputy Bonilla. Thank you for your decades of dedicated service and for answering the call with dignity, compassion, and honor. Your legacy will not be forgotten.

It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the sudden and unexpected passing of Deputy Investigator Joel Bonilla.

For more than 31 years, Joel faithfully served the citizens of Berks County with dedication, professionalism, compassion, and integrity. Throughout his career, he touched countless lives through his service and made a lasting impact on this office, his colleagues, and the community he so proudly served.

Joel was more than a coworker—he was a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend. His commitment to helping others, his steady presence, and his willingness to serve will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

Today, we mourn not only the loss of a dedicated public servant but also a member of our Berks County Coroner’s Office family. The void left by his passing cannot be measured, and there are simply no words that can fully express the sadness we feel.

We ask that you keep Joel’s family, friends, and fellow members of the Berks County Coroner’s Office in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest easy, Joel. Thank you for your years of service, your friendship, and your unwavering commitment to the people of Berks County. Your legacy will live on, and you will never be forgotten.

The Lehigh County Coroner's Office & Forensic Center is proud to announce the continued modernization of our fleet with the addition of another vehicle.

Over the past five years, our office has made significant investments to ensure our deputies and staff have reliable, safe, and professional transportation to serve the residents of Lehigh County 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Our fleet currently consists of eight vehicles, including five Ford Interceptors (2022-2026), a Chevrolet Tahoe (2025), a Ford Transit Van (2026), and a GMC Pickup Truck (2025).

As our fleet has evolved, we have focused on acquiring vehicles that are dependable, versatile, and easy to clean, sanitize, and maintain both inside and out. Each vehicle is equipped with the supplies and equipment necessary to support death investigations, community outreach, and special operations.

We remain committed to providing our staff with the tools and resources necessary to serve our community with professionalism, compassion, and excellence—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Yesterday, Deputy Coroner Miles Wildey represented the Lehigh County Coroner’s Office & Forensic Center at Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Camp Cadet. Deputy Wildey provided an interactive presentation highlighting the role of the Coroner’s Office, forensic investigations, and public service.

We are proud to support programs like Camp Cadet that educate and inspire the next generation of leaders. Thank you to the Pennsylvania State Police and Camp Cadet staff for the opportunity to engage with these outstanding young people.