Bonneville County Commissioners select new coroner to fill remainder of Rick Taylor’s term
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IDAHO FALLS — The Bonneville County Commissioners unanimously selected Shante Sanchez to serve as the new Bonneville County coroner on Monday.
Current Coroner Rick Taylor announced his intention in November to step down from the position after 12 years of service, effective Dec. 28. Sanchez will be sworn in Dec. 30 to fill the remainder of Taylor’s term.
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Bonneville County Commissioners Roger Christensen, Bryon Reed and Jon Walker interviewed three finalists at a public meeting Monday morning. The finalists were recommended to the commissioners by the Bonneville County Republican Central Committee from an original pool of seven applicants last Tuesday.
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While the commissioners were impressed with each of the finalists, Walker says they determined Sanchez’s experience made her the best fit for the job.
“All three of the candidates brought really good things to the table,” Walker said. “I hope they work together in the future, as things progress in Bonneville County.”
Sanchez is currently the deputy coroner for Bingham County and is certified as a Medicolegal Death Investigator through the University of North Dakota.
Sanchez earned her bachelors in psychology from Idaho State University and masters in forensic psychology at Arizona State University.
Sanchez is 200 points from being recognized as an American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) Associate, a distinction achieved by approximately 1,500 examiners in the United States. She is working toward board certification as an ABMDI-Diplomate, a level achieved by about 300 individuals nationwide.
In Bingham County, Sanchez helped investigate “infant stillborns, vehicle accidents, drug overdoses and has assisted prosecution with actively seeking criminal charges against individuals due to a death.”
As coroner, her goal is to “fully investigate all deaths that fall under the coroner’s jurisdiction.”
“I will actively investigate all of these by doing a full scene investigation, a full body exam, pursuing toxicology and autopsy, as necessary, and then coordinate with local agencies,” Sanchez says.
Under Idaho statute, coroners are responsible for determining cause of death and conducting investigations if a death is suspicious or happened as a result of violence. A coroner can also investigate when a death cannot be certified by a physician.
As coroner, Sanchez says she will approach investigations with professionalism and empathy.
“I also plan to delegate resources to loved ones and help build that compassion and the respect that they deserve as they navigate the needed steps for their loved ones,” Sanchez said.
Forensic pathologists typically perform autopsies for the county when needed. The nearest one is in Boise.
Sanchez says she supports efforts to establish a regional forensic pathology center, possibly in Idaho Falls, to reduce the time local law enforcement wait to receive reports.
“As we move into the future, Bonneville County will continue to help lead the way in terms of moving forensics research forward and protecting the citizens through good death investigation, which incorporates both the medical field and law enforcement,” Walker says.
The Bonneville County coroner recently became a full-time position. The yearly salary is $95,930.
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The next election for Bonneville County Coroner will take place in the May 2026 primaries, followed by the general election in November 2026.