In a Friday afternoon ruling, Judge Marissa Hutabarat said the coroner violated its legal duty by failing to identify 42-year-old Justin Smith, who died of a drug overdose in June 2023. Smith’s ...

As he battles terminal cancer, Smith alleged the coroner let failed to identify his son Justin’s body for nearly a month and let his body turn into “soup” in a broken cooler.

Smith, who served three terms as sheriff, will replace Justin Thompson, who will retire at the end of 2025 after serving 11 years in Justin Smith the role.

Sidney Smith poses in his living room with photographs of his son Justin Smith who died in June after collapsing on Decatur Street, in New Orleans, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Photo by Sophia ...

Justin Smith, a 42-year-old artist who died of a drug overdose fueled by mental health issues, sat unidentified in the coroner's office for more than three weeks, despite having distinctive ...