This really sucks, and I completely understand the need for closure.<p>At least in the Bay Area the various coroners process suspected homocides first, then suspected plagues/pathogens, then unexplained deaths, then maybe 'outside the hospital but not unexpected' deaths.<p>What that means in our fairly area is that if your death isn't a suspected homicide you probably won't get an autopsy. The only way to get that information would be to hire a forensic pathologist to do the work for you.