‘Dead on Arrival’ web series stars El Paso County coroner and communications staff
Courtesy of El Paso County
The third episode of “Dead on Arrival” starts with an apparent homicide: a man found dead in his home, the door kicked in and a trail of blood leading to the scene.
Through a series of reenactments acted by El Paso County communications staff and the Coroner’s Office, the answer reveals itself to be less obvious, but no less tragic. The decedent is the victim of long-term alcohol abuse and an accidental head injury.
Each of the three released episodes of the web series follows a case based on a real death investigated by the coroner’s office.
“The purpose of the series is to educate the public about preventable causes of death and how folks can keep themselves and those they care about safe,” explained El Paso County Coroner Dr. Emily Russell-Kinsley in a statement.
A welfare check turns into a suspicious death investigation after first responders find a broken door and an unsettling scene inside a Colorado Springs home. At first glance, it appears to be a violent crime, but as Dr. Leon Kelly and his team dig deeper, the evidence leads to an unexpected and tragic truth.In this episode of Dead on Arrival, we take you inside the investigation, the forensic process, and how cognitive bias can steer even seasoned professionals in the wrong direction.📺 Watch as the case unfolds and learn why, in forensics, nothing should be taken at face value.
The latest episode was released earlier this week on the county’s YouTube channel. The second episode dropped in May and follows the case of a couple struck by lightning on a 14er mountain trail.
“I think a bonus to the series is that it shows that death investigations aren’t always straightforward,” said Russell-Kinsley. “Some deaths require a lot of work to get to the right answer and the Coroner’s Office is committed to getting to the right answer.”
The series debuted in 2023 with its first episode, highlighting the dangers of accidental fentanyl overdose. That year El Paso County logged over 100 deaths related to the drug, points out former county coroner Dr. Leon Kelly, who narrates the series.
“It’s important to know that a fentanyl death can strike almost anyone,” said Dr. Kelly in the episode.
According to county spokesperson Natalie Sosa, much of the series was shot in 2023 by the audio-visual team. The release of the last two episodes was delayed due to staffing changes and urgent projects.
Russell-Kinsey said she would like to continue the series with new cases.
“It’s a great experience working with the Audio-Visual Department and other ‘actors’ from across county offices,” she wrote. “I would love to continue the series and already have a story in mind. I think getting my ideas to paper will take some time, but I’m looking forward to it as a fun outlet.”
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