By Savannah Eller | The Gazette
El Paso County has appointed a forensic pathologist to replace resigning coroner Dr. Leon Kelly to serve out the remainder of his term.
A 12-year veteran of the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, Dr. Emily Russell-Kinsley is currently the deputy chief medical examiner. She earned a medical degree from Baylor, has medical examiner specialty training and was appointed in 2019 to the Colorado Cold Case Taskforce as a forensic pathology representative. Russell-Kinsley is also a member of the Colorado Coroner’s Association Board of Directors.
Until the next general election in 2026, she will lead the busiest coroner’s office in the state with a staff of around 30 people providing services to 22 counties.