WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A temporary medical examiner has officially started in Whatcom County while the search for a permanent one continues.

The county council unanimously approved Dr. Aldo Fusaro as interim medical examiner during its meeting on Sept. 10. It also appointed council members John Scanlon and Ben Elenbaas to the selection committee in the county’s nationwide search for a permanent medical examiner.

The official decision came after Dr. Fusaro received approval from Sheriff Donnell Tanksley and the Northwest Washington Medical Society.

The medical society did note that it had reservations about his limited availability, as Dr. Fusaro will split his time between Whatcom County and his current position as deputy medical examiner for the Montana State Medical Examiner’s Office.

Dr. Fusaro previously served as Associate Medical Examiner in King County for 12 years before being hired as the Deputy Medical Examiner for Montana in 2017.

My Bellingham Now previously reported on an investigation into improperly stored bodies at a local funeral home that found the former Medical Examiner’s Office was at fault.