Media Release Information

All information on this page has been requested by media.
 
For all media requesting information: e-mail to medexam@spokanecounty.org . Note that this information will be updated periodically Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., media should check back here for updates.

The postmortem report is confidential in the State of Washington (RCW 68.50.105). For family members of the deceased requesting information about obtaining postmortem reports, please call the Medical Examiner’s Office at (509) 477-2296 or e-mail to medexam@spokanecounty.org.   

  • Note that this page will be archived in January of each year, archiving all release information from the previous year

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                                                                                                FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Given the recent extreme weather conditions, multiple media outlets have requested information regarding deaths that may be heat related.

In many of the cases, the pathologist has determined that excessive heat played a role in the death, but is waiting for additional testing to determine whether there are other conditions that contributed, thus the final cause of death statement is not yet available.

This office will continue to update this page as cause of death is finalized on each case. 


** Historical data regarding numbers of heat related deaths (or Hyperthermia deaths) can be found in the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Report at the following link https://www.spokanecounty.org/3003/Annual-Reports  in the chart Accident Circumstances, or Accident Comparisons.



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

SPOKANE COUNTY October 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 2400 block of East Hawthorne Road in Spokane, WA on September 30, 2023.

Name: John Franklin
 Age: 48 years

Cause of Death:  gunshot wound of the torso

Manner: Homicide 

SPOKANE COUNTY October 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the child who died as the result of an incident near the 1400 block of E Eloika Lake Rd in Deer Park, WA on September 28, 2023.

Name: Atillio Stanley
Age: 8 years

Cause of Death:  pending

Manner: Pending

SPOKANE COUNTY October 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 900 block of E Overbluff Rd in Spokane, WA on September 22, 2023.

Name: Molly Jones
Age: 34 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head and neck

Manner: Accident 

SPOKANE COUNTY September 28, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart as the result of an incident near the 6000 block of N Colton St in Spokane, WA on September 06, 2023.

Name: Devin Rowden
Age: 32 years

Cause of Death:  penetrating gunshot wound of the torso

Manner: Homicide 

SPOKANE COUNTY September 19, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident near the 200 block of S Wall St in Spokane, WA on August 14, 2023.

Name: Jordan VanAusdal
 Age: 25 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries

Manner: Undetermined 

Undetermined - is the manner of death assigned when there is insufficient evidence or information to assign to accident, homicide, suicide or natural categories, or when 2 plausible manners are equally likely.

SPOKANE COUNTY September 18, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the Dishman Hills Natural Area in Spokane Valley, WA on September 12, 2023.

Name: Daniel Pronkin
 Age: 22 years

Cause of Death:  pending

Manner: Pending

SPOKANE COUNTY September 18, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 14000 block of E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley, WA on September 9, 2023.

Name: Arthur Clough
 Age: 68 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY September 15, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 2200 block of N Argonne Rd in Spokane Valley, WA on September 2, 2023.

Name: Dennis Vezina
 Age: 41 years

Cause of Death:  gunshot wound of the torso

Manner: Homicide 

SPOKANE COUNTY September 15, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 200 block of S Wall St in Spokane, WA on August 3, 2023.

Name: Robert Cooke
 Age: 59 years

Cause of Death:  toxic effects of methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and ethanol

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY September 8, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died at Sacred Heart as the result of an incident near the intersection of W 4th Ave and S Maple St in Spokane, WA on September 6, 2023.

Name: Olivine Togstad
 Age: 61 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY September 8, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of E Montgomery Ave and N Astor St in Spokane, WA on September 2, 2023.

Name: Christopher Smith
 Age: 42 years

Cause of Death:  multiple gunshot wounds of the torso

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY September 1, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 7200 block of N Freya St in Spokane, WA on August 27, 2023.

Name: Harold Prine
 Age: 55 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY August 31, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 600 block of W 2nd Ave in Spokane, WA on August 27, 2023.

Name: Shan Anderson
 Age: 44 years

Cause of Death:  stab and incised wounds

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY August 25, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of Pine St and W Fancher Rd in Medical Lake, WA on August 18, 2023.

Name: Carl Grub
 Age: 86 years

Cause of Death:  inhalational and thermal injuries

Manner: Accident

Updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY August 25, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 16000 block of E Oregon Rd in Elk, WA on August 20, 2023.

Name: Alex Brown
 Age: 49 years

Cause of Death:  thermal and inhalational injuries

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY August 18, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident near the 3000 block of E Mission Ave in Spokane, WA on August 15, 2023.

Name: Jamie Weathers
 Age: 65 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY August 18, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of W Riverside Ave and N Madison St in Spokane, WA on August 16, 2023.

Name: Catharine Allen
 Age: 40 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the torso

Manner: Accident

Updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY August 16, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 14300 block of W Sunset Hwy in Airway Heights, WA on March 07, 2023.

Name: Ana Vetter
 Age: 27 years

Cause of Death:  multiple blunt force injuries; due to formwork collapse

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY August 16, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 4600 block of Trent Ave in Spokane, WA on August 11, 2023.

Name: Michaele Zadekian
 Age: 53 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY August 16, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 4600 block of Trent Ave in Spokane, WA on August 11, 2023.

Name: Steven Harnasch
 Age: 44 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY August 7, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of E Truax Rd and E Old Truax Rd in Fairfield, WA on June 26, 2023.

Name: CB Goodwin
 Age: 41 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, torso, and right lower extremity

Manner: Suicide

Updated: 09/26/2023

SPOKANE COUNTY July 24, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 5200 block of N Division St in  Spokane, WA on July 15, 2023.

Name: Darnell Pluff
 Age: 26 years

Cause of Death:  Gunshot wound of the head and neck

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY July 5, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Deaconess Hospital in Spokane, WA on March 5, 2023.

Name: Harold Kahoonei
 Age: 64 years

Cause of Death:  Complications of blunt force injuries of the head

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY July 5, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 2600 E 29th Ave in Spokane, WA on April 26, 2023.

Name: Alvin Gallegos
 Age: 76 years

Cause of Death: Stab wounds of head and neck

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY June 23, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart in Spokane, WA on May 31, 2023.

Name: Charles Boardman
 Age: 37 years

Cause of Death:  aspiration pneumonia due to the combined effects of alcohol withdrawal and seizure disorder of unclear etiology

Manner: Natural

Updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY June 23, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart as the result of an incident near the 400 block of N Mill St in Colfax, WA on June 15, 2023.

Name: Nicholas Bunch
 Age: 40 years

Cause of Death:  hanging

Manner: Suicide

SPOKANE COUNTY June 20, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 7200 block of E Trent Ave in Spokane Valley, WA on June 10, 2023.

Name: John Trendowicz
 Age: 63 years

Cause of Death:  sharp force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and left upper extremity

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY June 20, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 6300 block of E Mallon Ave in Spokane, WA on June 4, 2023.

Name: Bjorn Manycolors
 Age: 30 years

Cause of Death:  gunshot wounds of the torso and right lower leg

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY June 19, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of S Palouse Hwy and S Baltimore Rd in Spokane, WA on June 11, 2023.

Name: Catherine Krogman
 Age: 68 years

Cause of Death:  multiple blunt force injuries

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY June 12, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of E 2nd Ave and S Ray St in Spokane, WA on July 4, 2022.

Name: Jeffery Walton
 Age: 62 years

Cause of Death:  fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine toxicity

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY June 12, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 1100 block of W Mallon Ave in Spokane, WA on June 8, 2023.

Name: Kyle McLaurine
 Age: 23 years

Cause of Death:  sudden cardiac death of uncertain etiology

Manner: Natural

Updated: 09/27/23

SPOKANE COUNTY June 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the child who died as the result of an incident near the 1900 block of S Mintle St in Airway Heights, WA on May 25, 2023.

Name: Koda Riggs
 Age: 6 months

Cause of Death:  undetermined 

Manner: Undetermined

Updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY June 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the child who died as the result of an incident near the 12000 block of W 10th Ave in Airway Heights, WA on May 22, 2023.

Name: Syncere Fuentes
 Age: 1 year

Cause of Death:  accidental smothering in the setting of the toxic effects of buprenorphine

Manner: Accident

Updated: 7/5/2023

SPOKANE COUNTY June 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of Washington 291 and N Seven Mile Rd in Nine Mile Falls, WA on May 14, 2023.

Name: Timofey Bezverkhov
 Age: 26 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY June 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of E Alki Ave and E Broadway in Spokane, WA on April 4, 2023.

Name: Shae Broncho
 Age: 28 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY May 31, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 1100 block of W Mallon Ave in Spokane, WA on May 19, 2023.

Name: Tracy Pruitt
 Age: 63 years

Cause of Death:  bilateral pulmonary thromboemboli; due to right lower extremity deep vein thrombosis

Manner: Natural

SPOKANE COUNTY May 16, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who was found in the Spokane River near W Aubrey L White Parkway in Spokane, WA on May 11, 2023.

Name: Joseph Kamau
 Age: 20 years

Cause of Death:  Drowning

Manner: Undetermined

Updated: 6/21/23

SPOKANE COUNTY May 31, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 13900 block of E 41st Ct in Veradale, WA on April 30, 2023.

Name: Craig Chamberlin
 Age: 52 years

Cause of Death:  Hypertensive cardiovascular disease with atrial fibrillation

Manner: Natural

SPOKANE COUNTY May 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near N Flint Rd and W Trails Rd in Spokane, WA on April 30, 2023.

Name: Desmond Miller
 Age: 25 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY May 2, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near N Flint Rd and W Trails Rd in Spokane, WA on April 30, 2023.

Name: Kady Mcferon
 Age: 33 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso and extremities

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY April 18, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 3900 block of E 6th Ave in Spokane, WA on April 9, 2023.

Name: Steven Jarshaw
 Age: 69 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY April 4, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 4300 block of E 2nd Ave in Spokane Valley, WA on February 8, 2023.

Name: Deshaun Crawford
 Age: 40 years

Cause of Death:  multiple gunshot wounds

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY April 4, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident in a parking lot near the 1300 block of N Liberty Lake Rd in Liberty Lake, WA on April 2, 2023.

Name: Deborah Nordin
 Age: 71 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head, neck, torso, and extremities 

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY April 4, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 36000 block of N Echo Rd in Deer Park, WA on March 21, 2023.

Name: Kurtis Marcy
 Age: 55 years

Cause of Death:  toxic effects of methamphetamine and fentanyl

Manner: Accident

Updated: 5/10/2023

SPOKANE COUNTY April 4, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 1900 block of N Holy Names Ct in Spokane, WA on March 28, 2023.

Name: Ellsworth Parslow
 Age: 39 years

Cause of Death:  multiple gunshot wounds of the torso and left upper extremity

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY March 20, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 12000 block of E Mission Ave in Spokane Valley, WA on February 15, 2023.

Name: Ashley High 
 Age: 36 years

Cause of Death:  toxic effects of fentanyl and methamphetamine

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY March 20, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 2400 block of N Madelia in Spokane, WA on March 7, 2023.

Name: James Fisher
 Age: 50 years

Cause of Death:  multidrug intoxication (ethanol, trazodone, and clonazepam)

Manner: Suicide

SPOKANE COUNTY March 20, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 2400 block of N Madelia in Spokane, WA on March 7, 2023.

Name: Jennifer Jones
 Age: 40 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY March 20, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 9500 block of E 4th Ave in Spokane Valley, WA on February 20, 2023.

Name: Nancy Carr
 Age: 54 years

Cause of Death:  Perforating gunshot wound of torso

Manner: Suicide

SPOKANE COUNTY March 10, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 200 block of E Cleveland Ave in Spokane, WA on March 7, 2023.

Name:  Joshua Vandouris
 Age: 39 years

Cause of Death:  Gunshot wound of the torso

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY March 10, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 900 block of E 5th Ave in Spokane, WA on March 6, 2023.

Name:  Gary Danielson
 Age: 44 years

Cause of Death:  Electrocution 

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY March 10, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 200 block of S Post St in Spokane, WA on March 4, 2023.

Name:  Christopher Gosney
 Age: 60 years

Cause of Death:  combined toxic effects of fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, buprenorphine, codeine, and ethanol

Manner: Accident

Update: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY March 6, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 12000 block of E Sprague Ave in Spokane Valley, WA on January 27, 2023.

Name:  Kimberly Allen
 Age: 57 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY March 6, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 2900 block of E Diamond Ave in Spokane, WA on February 15, 2023.

Name:  Anita Honga
 Age: 49 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the head

Manner: Undetermined

Updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY March 6, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 1000 block of S Mamer Rd in Spokane Valley, WA on February 28, 2023.

Name:  Patrick Cabeza
 Age: 61 years

Cause of Death:  exsanguination; due to incised wound of wrist

Manner: Suicide

SPOKANE COUNTY February 14, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 1700 block of E 7th Ave in Spokane, WA on February 8, 2023.

Name:  Tyler Rowell
 Age: 17 years

Cause of Death:  gunshot wounds of head and torso

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY January 30, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the E Sprague exit on I90 in Spokane Valley, WA on January 20, 2023.

Name:  Duane Coulter
 Age: 59 years

Cause of Death:  multiple blunt force injuries; due to motorcycle crash

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY January 30, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 600 block of E Martingale Court in Spokane, WA on January 20, 2023.

Name:  Gael Wirth
 Age: 85 years

Cause of Death:  multiple gunshot wounds of the head

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY January 30, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 600 block of E Martingale Court in Spokane, WA on January 20, 2023.

Name:  Donald Wirth
 Age: 84 years

Cause of Death:  gunshot wound of the head

Manner: Suicide

SPOKANE COUNTY January 27, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 1400 block of E 7th Ave in Spokane, WA on December 31, 2022.

Name:  Carlos Thomas
 Age: 42 years

Cause of Death:  gunshot wounds of the chest

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY January 24, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 15000 block of Cheney Spokane Road in Cheney, WA on January 21, 2023.

Name:  Cavin Firestone
 Age: 27 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries

Manner: Accident 

SPOKANE COUNTY January 13, 2023 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 1400 block of W Boone Ave in Spokane, WA on July 24, 2022.

Name:  Stephanie Stine
 Age: 30 years

Cause of Death:  asphyxia due to strangulation

Manner: Homicide 

SPOKANE COUNTY December 28, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the 29000 block of N Dalton Rd in Deer Park, WA on December 26, 2022.

Name:  Richard Purdy
 Age: 83 years

Cause of Death:  sharp and blunt force injuries

Manner: Homicide 

SPOKANE COUNTY December 16, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the boy who died as the result of an incident near the 7700 block of E Greenbluff Rd in Colbert, WA on December 13, 2022.

Name:  Wyatt Halbig
 Age: 13 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force injuries of the torso

Manner: Suicide

SPOKANE COUNTY December 16, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the Spokane River in Spokane, WA on December 10, 2022.

Name:  Joseph Cole
 Age: 36 years

Cause of Death:  asphyxia due to drowning

Manner: Accident

Manner updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY November 16, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 2300 block of W Pacific Ave in Spokane, WA on November 12, 2022.

Name:  Elizabeth Burkland
 Age: 42 years

Cause of Death:  inhalation of products of combustion due to structure fire

Manner: Accident

SPOKANE COUNTY November 16, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident near the 4400 block of S Dowdy Rd in Spokane, WA on October 31, 2022.

Name:  Tabitha Chandler
 Age: 50 years

Cause of Death:  pulmonary thromboembolism; due to deep vein thrombosis of the legs

Manner: Accident

Updated: 09/26/23

SPOKANE COUNTY November 2, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near People's Park in the 3100 block of W Pacific Ave in Spokane, WA on October 24, 2022.

Name:  Andy Hernandez
 Age: 51 years

Cause of Death:  blunt force and asphyxial injuries

Manner: Homicide

SPOKANE COUNTY October 19, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 800 block of East G St in Deer Park, WA on April 27, 2022.

Name:  William Chamberlin
 Age: 17 years

Cause of Death:  undetermined cause of death

Manner: Undetermined

SPOKANE COUNTY October 19, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident at the intersection of West Garland Avenue & North Maple Street in Spokane, WA on October 7, 2022.

Name:  William Elixman
 Age: 56 years

Cause of Death:  Blunt force injuries of the head and torso

Manner: Accident


SPOKANE COUNTY September 27, 2022 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 100 block of N Madelia St in Spokane, WA on September 19, 2022.

Name:  David Holland
 Age: 52 years

Cause of Death:  Mechanical asphyxia

Manner: Accident


                                 Suicide Prevention Information

Approximately 45,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Life line at:

1-800-273-8255(TALK) or https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml     

Text "Hello" to 741741 to talk with a trained helper at the Crisis Text Line Or

Call locally to First call for Help Crisis Hotline 

(509) 838-4428 Or   Call 911 Or  Walk into any hospital emergency room

Definitions:

Cause of Death:
Cause of Death is used to indicate the medical cause of death, listing the disease(s) or injuries that caused death. Specific cause of death information is recorded on the death certificate and is entered into the Washington State Vital Statistic system.

Manner of Death:
Manner of Death is a statistical classification on the death certificate, the way in which death is categorized per the Washington State Department of Health (Accident, Homicide, Natural, Suicide, Undetermined).

Death Certification:
The Death certificate is a Washington State Health Department Document, NOT a Medical Examiner or Coroner document, the death certification process includes manner of death classification of (Accident, Homicide, Natural, Suicide, Undetermined), intended to describe the action associated with a death, if any, for public health department vital statistics purposes. The manner of death as used by the Office of the Medical Examiner does not address presence or absence of intent, culpability or justification of any action associated with a death and therefore any determination by the Medical Examiner of Suicide, Accident or Homicide in no way limits the ability of law enforcement to investigate to whatever extent they deem appropriate or necessary; nor is the manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

Accident - is defined as a death other than natural, where there is no evidence of intent, i.e. unintentional.

Homicide - is defined as a death due to the acts of another.

Natural - is defined as a death solely by organic disease. If natural death is hastened by injury (such as a fall), the manner of death will not be considered natural.

Pending - is a temporary designation for cause and/or manner when additional investigation, information and/or test results are required for certification. Pending is amended once all information and test results are received. 

Suicide - is defined as a death as the result of a purposeful action, with intent (explicit or implicit) to end one’s life.

Undetermined - is the manner of death assigned when there is insufficient evidence or information to assign to accident, homicide, suicide or natural categories, or when 2 plausible manners are equally likely.

* See the Medical Examiner’s Annual Report for details regarding causes and manner of death is Spokane County. 

                                     Toxicology Testing

In most cases the Spokane County Medical Examiner requests a toxicology analysis from the Washington State Toxicology Lab in Seattle. This typically involves sending blood and urine samples to the lab which then screens the samples for selected medications as well as common drugs of abuse and returns a report to our office. In the past this process typically has taken approximately eight to ten weeks, depending on the lab’s work load, staffing, and the complexity of the results.

**Update 08/07/2018**

In 2017, due to staffing and funding issues, the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory began experiencing backlogs with all toxicology results throughout the state. This backlog has continued throughout 2018 with no end in sight.

Unfortunately, the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has been affected by this backlog as have all other Medical Examiners send Coroners in the state. This office is currently unable to estimate the length of time required for toxicology results to  be returned from the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory.

                         



The postmortem report is confidential in the State of Washington (RCW 68.50.105). For information about obtaining postmortem reports, please call the Medical Examiner's Office at (509) 477-2296 or e-mail to medexam@spokanecounty.org.