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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Bereaved Family Files Lawsuit Against Coroner

Spokane County Coroner Dexter Amend faces another lawsuit, this one filed by a bereaved family who says Amend left them emotionally traumatized.

Amend delayed Curtis Babcock’s cremation and memorial service while trying to arrange an autopsy to link his death to sodomy, the family’s attorney said.

David Miller filed the suit Monday in Spokane County Superior Court on behalf of Babcock’s mother, Camilla Babcock, and his sister, Georgia Salcido.

The suit, which does not specify damages, was filed after the family failed to reach a settlement on a $2 million claim filed in February against Spokane County.

Amend’s conduct was “outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, that it went beyond all possible bounds of decency and should be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable.”

Amend did not return a call to his home for comment. A message was left with his wife.

According to Miller, Amend requested an autopsy with emphasis on examining the rectal region after Babcock died of AIDS-related complications.

Forensic pathologist Dr. George Lindholm refused to do an autopsy or take a blood sample, saying there was no valid scientific reason to do so.

Six lawsuits and legal claims have been filed against Amend during his 20 months in office. Most were filed by people outraged with how he handled the deaths of relatives.

, DataTimes MEMO: In the published text, Dexter Amend’s name was spelled Dcexter Amend.

In the published text, Dexter Amend’s name was spelled Dcexter Amend.