The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Program today reported it is investigating a suspected heat death on Thursday, Aug. 17. The individual was found in northeast Portland when the temperature was approximately 92 degrees.
No other details are being reported at this time.
It is the fourth death suspected of being heat-caused during the August heat emergency. The Medical Examiner is also investigating three other suspected heat deaths reported Monday, Aug. 14, in southeast Portland; Tuesday, Aug. 15, in a Portland hospital, and Wednesday, Aug. 16, in northeast Portland.
All four suspected deaths reported by the Medical Examiner are considered preliminary suspected cases and are under investigation as potential heat-related deaths. It can take weeks to months to finalize cause and manner of death as further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially heat-related. The County will update this information as it becomes available.