St. Louis County Medical Examiner Resigns From Position

HIBBING, Minn. (AP) — The St. Louis County medical examiner has resigned shortly after stirring up controversy over his decision to perform autopsies on Native Americans killed in car accidents.

A letter sent to county commissioners on Tuesday said Thomas Uncini is no longer interested in the position he's held since 1998. The county board decided to temporarily extend his contract through June 30, so the county can find a replacement.

The letter didn't cite a reason for the resignation, and Uncini has declined to speak with several news organizations.

Uncini pushed last month for autopsies to be performed on two Native Americans who died in separate crashes in Carlton County.

Both of their families were able to obtain last-minute emergency orders due to religious reasons, and the bodies were returned to the families without autopsies.