Originally published on the Baton Rouge Parents magazine website.
Last summer during the height of stay-at-home orders, Caroline Simpson began her unique internship with the Baton Rouge Coroner’s Office, working for Dr. Beau Clark.
A recent graduate of St. Michael the Archangel High School, Caroline’s focus on forensics began with reading. “In sixth grade, I read a book series that really got me interested in murder mysteries and crime,” I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga.
“She’s really interested in stuff that not many people are,” says Natalie Simpson, Caroline’s mom. In ninth grade, Caroline was able to view her first autopsy when her dad, Bill Simpson, won a “Spend a Day with the Coroner” at an auction.
“I was so worried–am I gonna throw up and pass out on the ground?” Caroline remembers. “But luckily, I went in and I was so fascinated. I could do this every day.”
Now 18, Caroline was a leader in her school’s youth ministry and a soccer team captain her senior year. “Especially with a younger team, when you’re one of the older people…you’ve always got to be doing your best,” Caroline says.
“I’m very thankful for the gifts and interests I have,” she says. “I think they make me very different than the average person. I am a little odd, but I absolutely love it.”
Caroline has signed with Centenary College of Louisiana in Shreveport to play soccer. This amazing kid plans to major in pre-med with a goal to become a forensic pathologist.