Investigative Staff
The Caddo Parish Coroner’s investigative staff includes one Chief Investigator and several Coroner Investigators/Death Investigators. The investigators’ primary duties are performing death investigations and mental health investigations (in the form of protective custody orders).
Death investigations include scene investigations, body exams, photo documentation, medical records review, witness interviews, written report and completion of the death certificate. The initial death investigation process helps determine the probable cause and manner of death and/or whether an autopsy will be ordered or not.
Mental health investigations, in the form of protective custody orders, are performed by interviewing witnesses by a strict set of criteria to determine if an individual may need psychiatric evaluation.
How do I become a Death investigator/Coroner investigator? See our FAQ page and you can also read about our certification here: https://abmdi.org
(You may complete an application at our main office at any time. It will be kept on file for approximately one year. If any job opportunities arise during that time frame, your application will be reviewed).
Investigators
Erin Deutsch, Chief Investigator, D-ABMDI
Erin Deutsch has been employed with Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office since 2010. In 2019, she began assisting in the role of Chief Investigator and now currently holds that title. She is a graduate from Bossier Parish Community College where she received her degree in Criminal Justice, with a concentration in Medicolegal Death Investigation. She is a nationally certified Death Investigator with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI) after completing the necessary training and testing. Early on in her career, Erin worked with the Sexual Assault Response Team, a team developed to improve the process of care and justice for sexual assault victims. Erin also spent a two year term as Secretary/Treasurer for the Louisiana State Coroner’s Association. She has specialized training in Aquatic Death Investigations, Fire Death Investigations, and Skeletal Remains Recovery.
Katrina Wright, D-ABMDI
Katrina Wright is a graduate from Bossier Parish Community College and Louisiana State University, earning her A.S. in 1994 and B.A. degree in 1998, both in General Studies. Katrina has also earned her Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Katrina relocated to New Jersey, where she was employed with Willingboro Public School District as an assistant for the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Curriculum. While in New Jersey, she completed an A.S. in Mortuary Science for a career in funeral services employed with Serenity Funeral Home and Tunsil Funeral Home, Inc. In 2006, Katrina returned to Shreveport and began her career as a death investigator for Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. She became a registered Medicolegal Death Investigator in 2008 with the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators. Katrina is also a member of International Association of Forensic Nurses for whom she has presented lectures regarding death investigations. Katrina works closely with the Department of Health & Hospitals, Office of Public Health in order to decrease the number of preventable child and infant deaths in Caddo Parish. Most recently, Katrina has begun working closely with Overton Brooks VA Medical Center and Veterans Affairs to ensure a respectable and proper interment for displaced veterans.
Mary Whitehorn
Mary Whitehorn began her career with Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office in 2017. In 2018, she attended the Medicolegal Death Investigator Training Course in St. Louis, MO. Mary Whitehorn attended college at Bossier Parish Community College, focusing on Criminal Justice. Mary was previously employed with Lions Eye Bank, performing cornea recoveries. Mary Whitehorn provides compassionate and diligent service as a death investigator for Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office.
Joel Broussard
Joel Broussard graduated from Louisiana State University of Shreveport in 2021 where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Security Studies. Originally from the small town of Glenmora, Louisiana, Joel moved to South Bossier at a young age and has called it home ever since. Joel also currently serves part time in the Louisiana Army National Guard as an Intelligence Analyst where he responds to natural disasters that affect Louisiana.
Allison Ducre
Allison Ducre has been employed with Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office since September 2022. Allison is originally from Lacombe, LA, a small town 30 miles north of New Orleans. She moved to Lake Charles, LA to attend Mcneese State University, pursing a degree in Forensic Chemistry. She ultimately received her degree in Criminal Justice from Sowela Technical Community College. In 2018, she interned with Calcasieu Parish Public Defender’s Office. There she worked closely underneath the previous Chief Investigator who inspired her to pursue an occupation in investigations. She would like to express her deepest gratitude for Shelia Jeter Hayes, Kim Wilson, and her two loving parents, Gabriel and Alice Ducre, for all of the love and support throughout the years.
Destinee Foust
Destinee Foust received her online certification from Death Investigation Training Academy. She has also attended some college at Bossier Parish Community College, majoring in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Medicolegal Death Investigation. Destinee was previously employed several years by Barham & Warner, L.L.C., a small law firm, where she gained much knowledge about legal proceedings. She has been passionate about photography going on seven years now. Destinee has moved around quite a bit but always ends up right back in Louisiana, a place she has called home ever since a young age.
Russen Toledo
Russen Toledo was born and raised in the Bataan, Philippines. Russen briefly went to BPCC before joining the USAF in 2013. Russen was a former USAF Security Forces stationed in Minot, ND. His responsibilities are Close-In Sentry, Nuclear Combat Security Skills, Mission Systems Operations Center Controller, Linx Predator Elite System Operator. Russen Toledo conducted securities for President Obama and Vice President Biden. Russen was previously employed at Coushatta Police Department. Russen is graduate from Louisiana state University, earning two BS Criminal Justice degree in 2020, a A.S in Community College of the Air Force in 2017 and actively pursuing Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice at University of Arizona Global Campus.