Skagit County Coroner Hayley Thompson to resign before term ends

Skagit County Coroner Hayley Thompson plans to step down from her position before her elected term expires at the end of the year, according to a news release from Skagit County.

Thompson was first appointed to the role on May 16, 2016, and was later elected that November. She was reelected in 2018 and 2022.

She will be leaving to spend more time with her family, the release states.

Her exact resignation date has not been determined, but the county says the Board of County Commissioners will receive at least two months' notice before she steps down.

Her term was set to run through Dec. 31, 2026.

During her time as coroner, Thompson oversaw an expansion of the county Coroner's Office. In late 2022, county commissioners supported a transition away from hospital-based morgue and autopsy services toward an independent facility.

By January 2024, the office had earned national accreditation from the International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners. The office has also shifted from using on-call deputies to a mostly full-time professional staff.

"Hayley Thompson has been a tremendous force as the Skagit County Coroner and has greatly improved the capabilities and work of the Coroner's Office," County Commissioner Ron Wesen said in the release.

"The Board of County Commissioners has been proud to work with Hayley, and we are especially thankful for her dedication to hosting regular unclaimed remains remembrance ceremonies," he said. "Hayley made it a priority for us to host these ceremonies to ensure we show dignity to the lives of those in our community. Her work in the Coroner's Office leaves a truly lasting and impactful legacy."

Because Thompson is resigning before her term ends, the county must follow a formal process to name a replacement until the November election.

Under state law, the Skagit County Democratic Party must submit three names for commissioners to consider because Thompson was elected as a Democrat. Commissioners will then select one of those nominees to serve as interim coroner.

County officials say more details on the nomination process will be released soon.

Questions can be directed to the County Commissioners' office by email at commissioners@co.skagit.wa.us or by phone at 360-416-1300.

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This story was originally published April 30, 2026 at 5:53 PM.