August 16, 2021
The Multnomah County Medical Examiner’s Program today reported it is investigating a death associated with the heat wave that began Aug. 11. Investigators say confirmation will not be complete for several weeks. The person died Aug. 15 in Portland.
One other hyperthermia death was suspected in this last hot spell, but was ruled out over the weekend after examination by the State Medical Examiner.
Until the unprecedented June 2021 heat event, Multnomah County recorded only two hyperthermia deaths since 2010 — one each in 2016 and 2018. In the June/July event 62 people were confirmed to have died. Confirmation on several others are pending toxicology results.
The County will update this information as it becomes available.