HAZELWOOD, Mo. – Ken Korte was a Vietnam veteran, a loving grandfather, and his son Ken’s best friend.
“Loved his family fiercely, his friends. Would do anything for anyone. Just a great man,” Ken said.
As he got older, his list of health issues grew longer.
“Dad was 81 years old,” Ken said. “He had heart problems. He had been fighting liver disease for over 30 years. One of the medications he was taking caused him to get major skin cancer.”
On Aug. 20, Ken says he couldn’t get a hold of his dad.
“My aunt’s only five minutes away, so I called her and said, ‘Could you please go check on dad?’ Then about a half hour later, I got a phone call saying it’s not good,” Ken said.
Ken’s father was dead. The Hazelwood police report listed it as a “no crime,” “sudden death.” The report notes responding officers contacted the St. Louis County Medical Examiner’s Office, who released the older Korte’s body to the funeral home. He was buried Aug. 26. Six weeks later, Ken told us he still hadn’t received his father’s death certificate.
“We’re trying to pick up the pieces and move on, and I can’t do anything without a death certificate,” Ken said. “I can’t even stop his government benefits or his Social Security benefits that I’m going to have to pay back, I’m sure.”
On Sept. 24, he received a letter from the Medical Examiner’s Office, saying his father’s death was being investigated.
“What they tell me is they’re just going to get his medical records and they’re going to check his medical records, and then the death certificate will be signed by the medical examiner,” Ken said. “This whole thing just doesn’t make sense to me, Mike. It doesn’t.”
FOX 2 asked the county medical examiner’s office about its procedures and when it might issue the death certificate. A spokesperson said, “In most cases of natural death under medical supervision, the attending physician reports the cause and manner of death and signs the death certificate. If the death occurred without medical attendance, the Medical Examiner’s Office steps in to investigate and determine the cause of death. Delays may occur if there are uncertainties about the cause of death, requiring further investigation.”
Two days after we reached out, the county called Ken. A few days after that, Ken received his father’s death certificate.
“They were terribly nice when they called, and I didn’t push it. But honestly, I think this is the norm. I want to thank you and FOX 2 from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate all your help,” Ken said. “When my family needed help in one of our darkest hours, you were there, and I appreciate it.”
Another issue put to rest and some peace of mind for a family who’s loved one rests in peace.
