Cops and Writers Podcast

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Today is episode one of a special two-part interview with retired Death Investigator and Author, Barbara Butcher of the New York City Medical Examiner's Office.

Barbara Butcher spent 23 years at the New York City Office of Chief Medical Examiner as a death investigator, director of the Forensic Sciences Training Program, and chief of staff. There she investigated more than 5500 deaths, 680 of them homicides. She worked mass disasters including 9/11, the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, the London Underground bombing, and the crash of Flight 587.

During this interview, Barbara opens up and lets us into the life of a death investigator being confronted with death and profound sadness on a daily basis and the toll it took on her physical and mental health.

We also have a candid talk about alcoholism and her “rock bottom.” Barbara also shares her recovery from this deadly disease and the good that came from it.

I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did.

In today’s episode we discuss:

· Her interview on the James Altucher Show Podcast and his notion that New York is dead, spoiler alert. She doesn’t think so!

· Her honesty and willingness to be vulnerable with her new book and this interview.

· Growing up in New York being the oldest of nine kids and her dad being on the New York Police Department rising to the rank of Deputy Inspector.

· Ghosts or other paranormal feelings being involved in 5,500 death investigations.

· Myths and misconceptions regarding alcoholism.

· Barbara hitting rock bottom with her drinking and rising from the ashes.

· How Barbara got the job with the New York Medical Examiner’s Office as a death investigator and the training involved in her job.

· Her first time going to a death investigation solo.

· The job of the death investigator.

Visit Barbara at her website!
Purchase her book, What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator
Check out Weekends at Bellevue: Nine Years on the Night Shift at the Psych ER and When Breath Becomes Air

Check out my newest book, The Good Collar!
Enjoy the Cops and Writers book series.
Please visit the Cops and Writers website.

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