CK: Death Benefits Delayed For Grieving Husband

Nina Pinckard-Fechtner died suddenly in January. But her husband, Donald Fechtner can't get her life insurance or even the medical benefits he needs. It appears this is all traced back to Sacramento County's budget cuts.

"Nina's life was theater," says Donald. "She had... thread in her veins."

Donald has fond memories of his wife, Nina. "She would make the best costumes."

Her costume creations lit up the stage in Sac State's Theater Department for more than 30 years. One of her last works of art was her daughter Katie Haskett's wedding dress.

"It was exactly what I wanted, it was fantastic," says Katie.

In January, a few days after returning from a family trip to Hawaii, Nina was rushed to the hospital.

"While they were trying to get her on the gurney she just kind of passed out. I never heard another word from her after that," remembers Donald.

She died. But the family doesn't know for sure what killed her. Nina barely survived a pulmonary embolism years ago. The family thinks she had another one. But the Sacramento County Coroner hasn't issued a final cause of death. The death certificate lists it as "pending" and the Coroner's Office has only issued a letter stating, so far there's "no evidence of foul play." But that hasn't been enough to access her life insurance policies or death benefits CalPERS. Now Donald is watching his savings dry up.

"We were a two income household and everything was gauged on that," says Donald. "That savings cushion that we worked so hard to keep is going to be gone."

Mary McCluhan also complained to us last year. "What took his life? What took his life," she asked.

She waited nearly eight months to find out the cause of her son's death. So what's behind the holdups?

"We have no one to call to help us," says Assistant Coroner Ed Smith.

Budget cuts have forced the Coroner's Office to drop two of its four forensic pathologists in the last three years. The two remaining doctors perform about 1,400 autopsies a year.

"They can get the exams done, but their day is usually pretty much over when they get the exams done. So the paperwork gets pushed back," says Smith.

But Smith says they're willing to make calls to insurance and benefits companies if families are facing financial burdens. So after our interview they called one of Nina's insurance companies. The office explained that foul play has been ruled out and the company approved Donald's claim.

We had already contacted CalPERS and another life insurance company on Donald's behalf, explaining the coroner holdup. Both then approved his claims.

Donald and Katie are now getting closer to closure but want to send a message to County leaders.

"The coroner's office doesn't make sense to be the focus of budget cuts because, you know, death isn't something that's going away any time soon," says Katie.

The California Department of Insurance also tells us they may be able to help in these types of situations. They too, will contact insurance companies on your behalf to see if benefits should be paid out earlier.

Sacramento County's fiscal year ends next month. Budget talks are ongoing. Assistant Coroner Smith says he's "hopeful" his office could fare better this year, but according to preliminary recommendations even more cuts will have to be made at the department.