Youmans elected Beaufort County Coroner, accepting baton as Ott’s retirement nears

With the blessing of her predecessor, Debbie Youmans was elected the next coroner of Beaufort County. Running unopposed, the former EMS official and experienced coroner's office staffer received 71,907 votes or 99.3%, according to unofficial election results from scvotes.org .

Boasting 30 years as a transporter for Beaufort County EMS, Youmans joined the Beaufort County Coroner's Office in 2016, later becoming chief deputy coroner. She plans to carry on the award-winning efforts of outgoing Coroner David Ott, who announced his retirement in July .

The coroner's office is responsible for investigating all suspicious, violent, sudden and unexpected deaths in Beaufort County. Staff members are responsible for notifying the next of kin after a death, conducting autopsies to make official medical rulings and working closely with law enforcement on homicides and other cases.