Multnomah County, Ore. (Jan. 16, 2024) — The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office on Tuesday, Jan. 16, reported it is investigating two new suspected hypothermia deaths since a state of emergency was declared Jan. 12 amid dangerously cold temperatures. There have been four total suspected hypothermia deaths in the January 2024 winter storm.
Investigators say confirmation will not be complete for several weeks to months.
The third death — a man found in the 97211 zip code — was reported in Portland on Monday Jan. 15. The fourth death — a man found in the 97214 zip code — was also reported in Portland on Monday, Jan. 15. No other details are being released at this time. The first death reported in connection with this emergency was reported Friday, Jan. 12 — a man found in the 97232 zip code. The second death reported in connection with this emergency was reported Saturday, Jan. 13 — a man found in the 97217 zip code.
All deaths are still considered suspected cases and are under investigation as potential cold-weather-related deaths. Further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially cold-weather-related. The County will update this information as it becomes available.
For the latest information on available warming spaces, and free transportation, call 2-1-1 or go to multco.us/cold.
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