AUSTIN (KXAN) — Nearly two years ago, KXAN launched “A Hanging on Backbone Creek,” an ongoing investigation that began with the mysterious death of 13-year-old Daynon Lewis in 1965.
This week on “Cause & Effect,” KXAN explores what her case revealed about Texas’ unusual system for investigating unexpected deaths — one that relies heavily on elected justices of the peace rather than medical examiners.
KXAN found only 14 of Texas’ 254 counties have medical examiner offices. In most other counties, justices of the peace, who are not required to have medical training, make critical decisions about the cause and manner of death. Our reporting found that can leave families with questions about whether deaths are being investigated thoroughly and consistently…