From the Archives: NEWS RELEASE: Multnomah County Medical Examiner reports third suspected death in August 2023 heat emergency

August 17, 2023

Multnomah County, Ore. (Aug. 17, 2023) — The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Program today reported it is investigating a suspected heat death that occurred Wednesday, Aug. 16. The individual was found in northeast Portland when the temperature was approximately 102 degrees.

No other details are being reported at this time. It is the third death suspected of being heat-caused during the August heat emergency. The Medical Examiner is also investigating two other suspected heat deaths reported Monday, Aug. 14 in southeast Portland and Tuesday, Aug. 15, in a Portland hospital.

All three deaths reported by the Medical Examiner are considered preliminary suspected cases and are under investigation as potential heat-related deaths. Further tests and investigation will determine whether the deaths are officially heat-related. The County will update this information as it becomes available.

###