Multnomah County, Ore. (July 8, 2024) — The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday, July 8, reported it is investigating three suspected heat deaths of Multnomah County residents since the state of emergency was declared July 5 amid dangerously hot temperatures.
The first death suspected as connected with this emergency — an 87-year-old man found in the 97230 ZIP code — was reported Friday, July 5.
The second death — a 64-year-old man found in the 97206 ZIP code — was reported Sunday, July 7.
The third death — a 75-year-old man found in the 97216 ZIP code — was also reported Sunday, July 7.
Additionally, on Saturday, July 6, a 33-year-old man was transported from Clackamas County, where he died from suspected heat-related illness in Multnomah County at a Portland hospital. Because the death technically occurred in Multnomah County, despite the person falling ill outside Multnomah County, the Multnomah County Medical Examiner's Office is investigating.
No other details are being released or are available at this time.
All deaths are still considered suspected cases and are under investigation as potential hot-weather-related deaths.
Investigators say confirmation will not be complete for several weeks to months. Further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially hot-weather-related. In some cases, the deaths may be found to have had other causes. The County will update this information as it becomes available.
For the latest information on available cooling spaces, and free transportation, call 2-1-1 or go to multco.us/hot.
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