Media Release Information

All information on this page has been requested by media.
 
For all media requesting information: e-mail to medexam@spokanecounty.org . Note that this information will be updated periodically Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., media should check back here for updates.

The postmortem report is confidential in the State of Washington (RCW 68.50.105). For family members of the deceased requesting information about obtaining postmortem reports, please call the Medical Examiner’s Office at (509) 477-2296 or e-mail to medexam@spokanecounty.org.   

  • Note that this page will be archived in January of each year, archiving all release information from the previous year


                                                                               Toxicology Testing

In most cases the Spokane County Medical Examiner requests a toxicology analysis from the Washington State Toxicology Lab in Seattle. This typically involves sending blood and urine samples to the lab which then screens the samples for selected medications as well as common drugs of abuse and returns a report to our office. In the past this process typically has taken approximately eight to ten weeks, depending on the lab’s work load, staffing, and the complexity of the results.

**Update 08/07/2018**

In 2017, due to staffing and funding issues, the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory began experiencing backlogs with all toxicology results throughout the state. This backlog has continued throughout 2018 with no end in sight.

Unfortunately, the Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has been affected by this backlog as have all other Medical Examiners send Coroners in the state. This office is currently unable to estimate the length of time required for toxicology results to  be returned from the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory.


                                                                          Suicide Prevention Information

Approximately 45,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States.

If you or someone you know is in crisis and may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Life line at

1-800-273-8255(TALK) or https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml


                Or Text "Hello" to 741741 to talk with a trained helper at the Crisis Text Line

                                                    Or Call the Regional Crisis Line 1-877-266-1818

                                                    Or Call 911

                                                    Or Walk into any hospital emergency room


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 21, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on 10/12/2020 as the result of an incident in the 2200 block of Park Road Ave. in Spokane Valley, WA on 10/07/2020

Name: Carolyn Kay Nara
Age: 59 years
Cause of Death: Hypoxic respiratory failure with encephalopathy and pneumonia due to multiple blunt injuries
Manner: Vehicular Accident

The manner of death as used by the Office of the Medical Examiner does not address presence or absence of intent, culpability or justification of any action associated with a death and therefore any determination by the Medical Examiner of Suicide, Accident or Homicide in no way limits the ability of law enforcement to investigate to whatever extent they deem appropriate or necessary; nor is the manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 19, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who was found in the 16000 block of S. Valley Chapel Rd, Valleyford WA on October 13, 2020

Name: Monroe Merrell
Age: 59 years
Cause of Death: Intra oral gunshot wound
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 15, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident at S Regal St and E Thurston Ave in Spokane, WA on October 14, 2020 

Name: Hasan Marzoog
Age: 20 years
Cause of Death: Blunt force injuries
Manner: Vehicular Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 14, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at the 6400 block of 6th Ave in Spokane, WA on October 11, 2020

Name: Auburn Schaefer
Age: 27 years
Cause of Death: Perforating contact gunshot wound to head
Manner: Pending

Pending - is a temporary designation for cause and/or manner when additional investigation, information and/or test results are required for certification. Pending is amended once all information and test results are received.

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 2, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident in the 20 block of W Main in Spokane, WA on October 2, 2020 

Name: Anthony Vornheder
Age: 40 years
Cause of Death: Stab wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 28, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident in the 3300 block of Carlisle in Spokane, WA on September 24, 2020 

Name: Jacquon D. Bailey
Age: 18 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of head
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 25, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 9000 block of W Sunset Hwy in Spokane, WA on September 24, 2020 

Name: Erik Mahoney
Age: 43 years
Cause of Death: Multiple gunshot wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 17, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at W Greenwood Road and Government Way in Spokane, WA on September 12, 2020 

Name: William Parks
Age: 43 years
Cause of Death: Blunt force injuries
Manner: Vehicular Accident

The manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner is not the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 16, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at Argonne and South Trent in Spokane Valley, WA on September 11, 2020 

Name: Kelly Knapp
Age: 49 years
Cause of Death: Blunt force injuries
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 15, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at Highway 27 and Dishman Mica Rd in Mica, WA on September 8, 2020 

Name: Jerry Jameson
Age: 39 years
Cause of Death: Fractures of the base and vault of the skull; due to blunt impact to head
Manner: Vehicular Accident

The manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner is not the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 14, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 6300 block of E. Broadway Ave. in Spokane Valley, WA on 09/11/2020

Name: Joshua Clayton Brant
Age: 31 years
Cause of Death: Multiple Gunshot Wounds
Manner: Homicide

The manner of death as used by the Office of the Medical Examiner does not address presence or absence of intent, culpability or justification of any action associated with a death and therefore any determination by the Medical Examiner of Suicide, Accident or Homicide in no way limits the ability of law enforcement to investigate to whatever extent they deem appropriate or necessary; nor is the manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 21, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at the 6900 block of W Rutter Parkway in Spokane, WA on 08/17/2020

Name: Laura McNamara
Age: 49 years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

Pending - is a temporary designation for cause and/or manner when additional investigation, information and/or test results are required for certification. Pending is amended once all information and test results are received.

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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 14, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 900 block of Princeton Ave in Spokane, WA on 08/13/2020

Name: Anthony Brines
Age: 25 years
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds to torso
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 10, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at 2nd and Elm St. in Spokane, WA on 08/08/2020

Name: Mary L. Schaffer
Age: 32 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the head
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 27, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 1200 block of Nebraska Ave in Spokane, WA on 07/24/2020

Name: Lonnie Montoya
Age: 38 years
Cause of Death: gunshot wound to neck/head
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 23, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at the intersection of 25th Ave and Southeast Blvd in Spokane, WA on 07/17/2020

Name: Stephanie Schrimshire
Age: 83 years
Cause of Death: Massive hemothoraces; due to laceration of heart; due to blunt impact to chest
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 23, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 1100 block of E Cozza in Spokane, WA on 07/11/2020

Name: Armand Ahishakiye
Age: 21 years
Cause of Death: Hanging
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 23, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at Boulder Beach on the Spokane River in Spokane, WA on 07/21/2020

Name: Nathan Rickards
Age: 21 years
Cause of Death: hypoxic encephalopathy due to near drowning
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 9, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an injury incident at the 2300 block of Arboretum Dr in Seattle, WA on 07/08/2020

Name: Jordan Earnest
Age: 34 years
Cause of Death: gunshot wound of the head
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 8, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 11500 block of E 4th Ave in Spokane, WA on 06/29/2020

Name: Adam Shaw
Age: 35 years
Cause of Death: crush injury of larynx; due to blunt impact to neck
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 01, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 1900 block of E 6th Ave in Spokane, WA on June 29, 2020

Name: Greg Burford
Age: 72 years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

Pending - is a temporary designation for cause and/or manner when additional investigation, information and/or test results are required for certification. Pending is amended once all information and test results are received. 

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UPDATED September 25, 2020:

SPOKANE COUNTY, June 30, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident in the 700 block of E Hartson. in Spokane, WA on June 28, 2020

Name: Diamond Morrow
Age: 23 years
Cause of Death: Fentanyl toxicity
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 26, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 1600 block of N Monroe St on June 23, 2020 in Spokane, WA

Name: Lee Williams
Age: 34 years
Cause of Death: gunshot wound of head                                        Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 25, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the Spokane River, near the 3200 block of W Boone Ave on June 23, 2020 in Spokane, WA

Name: Jaspreet Turna
Age: 28 years
Cause of Death: drowning
Manner: Accident

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This information is being requested by media:

SPOKANE COUNTY, June 17, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as a result of an incident in the Spokane River, West of the Monroe Street Bridge on April 25, 2020 in Spokane, WA.

Name: Roger Ulrich
Age: 25 years
Cause of Death: drowning
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 16, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident at Sullivan and I90 Eastbound on June 01, 2020 in Spokane Valley, WA

Name: Clifford Breeden
Age: 53 years
Cause of Death: multiple stab wounds                                        Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 15, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 1600 Block E. South Riverton on June 12, 2020 in Spokane, WA

Name: Taurus Ogletree
Age: 48 years
Cause of Death: gunshot wounds                                        Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 11, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center as the result of an incident at the Airway Heights Correctional Center in Airway Heights, WA on June 5, 2020

Name: Robert Munger
Age: 70 years
Cause of Death: skull fracture with brain contusions; due to blunt impact
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 11, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on March 25, 2020 as the result of an incident in the 300 block of W. Euclid Ave in Spokane , WA

Name: Joseph Mathang
Age: 49 years
Cause of Death: blunt and sharp instrument injuries of the head and neck
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 9, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died on June 6, 2020 as the result of an incident at Park Road and Sprague Avenue in Spokane Valley , WA 

Name: John E. Morris
Age: 42 years
Cause of Death: Blunt head, chest and abdominal injuries
Manner: Vehicular Accident

The manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner is not the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 29, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on May 27, 2020 as the result of an incident in Moses Lake , WA 

Name: Phoenix Johnson
Age: 21 years
Cause of Death: gunshot wound of the left shoulder and neck
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 26, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 7000 block of N Argonne Rd on May 11, 2020

Name: Kevin Witcher
Age: 44 years
Cause of Death: massive left hemothorax; due to lacerations of heart; due to blunt impact to chest
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 26, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 200 Block of West Sprague in Spokane, WA on May 20, 2020

Name: Wilbur Tankersley
Age: 35 years
Cause of Death: Blunt head injuries
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 8, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the Spokane River near Cook St and South Riverton Ave on May 5, 2020

Name: Maina Mugo
Age: 16 years
Cause of Death: Drowning
Manner: Accident


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SPOKANE COUNTY, March 12, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at Pittsburg Road and Farwell Road Spokane, WA on March 10, 2020

Name: Grace Wiggins
Age: 24 years
Cause of Death: Strangulation
Manner: Homicide

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This information is being requested by media:

SPOKANE COUNTY, March 11, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as a result of the incident at the 500 Block of W. Sprague on July 03, 2019 in Spokane, WA.

Name: Joshua J Bassett
Age: 32 years
Cause of Death: gunshot wound to head
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, March 3, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at E. Illinois and N. Hamilton in Spokane, WA on March 3, 2020

Name: Richard Malmoe
Age: 57 years
Cause of Death: Massive left hemothorax due to transection of aorta due to blunt impact to chest
Manner: Accident

The manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner is not the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

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SPOKANE COUNTY, March 2, 2020 @ 1256 p.m.

Media is currently reporting on a death that occurred as the result of an incident on 2/28/20 at  20 W. Houston, Spokane WA

The Medical Examiner has released no information on this case and has no information to release at this present time. Once there is information available for release, this page will be updated.

Update March 3, 2020 @ 3:10 p.m.:

SPOKANE COUNTY, March 3, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at 20 W Houston in Spokane, WA on February 28, 2020

Name: Makayla Young
Age: 24 years
Cause of Death: Multiple incised and stab wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, February 28, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 1600 block of E Rockwell in Spokane, WA on February 20, 2020

Name: Juan Campos
Age: 31 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the head
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, February 28, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the intersection of N Rambo Rd and W Deno Rd in Spokane, WA on February 25, 2020.

Name: Anthony Barr
Age: 46 years
Cause of Death: multiple blunt injuries
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, February 4, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 2100 block of N Hamilton St in Spokane on January 28, 2020

Name: Austin Wilson
Age: 23 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the chest
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, February 3, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 3400 block of N. Market St. in Spokane, WA on February 3, 2020

Name: Christian G. Salazar
Age: 21 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to head
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 31, 2020 1:05 p.m.

Media is reporting Spokane Major Crimes Detectives investigating a deceased individual found in a car near Fiske and 27th in Spokane, WA on January 30, 2020.

At this time, this office has no information to release. This page will be updated when information is available. 

Update February 3, 2020 11:45 a.m.

The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the woman who died as a result of the incident at S. Fiske and E 27th on January 30, 2020 in Spokane, WA

Name: Ibtihal Darraji
Age: 29 years
Cause of Death: Strangulation
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 27, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as a result of the incident at the intersection of North Belt & West Francis on January 20, 2020 in Spokane, WA.

Name: William H Parks III
Age: 68 years
Cause of Death: hypoxic encephalopathy; due to cardiopulmonary arrest; due to choking on unknown foreign object; probably food; and aspiration of vomitus
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 27, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as a result of the incident at the intersection of Freya and Baltimore Rd on January 23, 2020 in Spokane, WA.

Name: Kellen M Erickson
Age: 19 years
Cause of Death: multiple blunt injuries
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 22, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart on January 20, 2020 as the result of an incident in the 1400 block of E. Carlisle. in Spokane, WA.

Name: Michael Hermann
Age: 60 years
Cause of Death: herniation of the brain; due to subdural hemorrhage; due to blunt impact
Manner: Pending

Pending - is a temporary designation for cause and/or manner when additional investigation, information and/or test results are required for certification. Pending is amended once all information and test results are received. 

Update March 3, 2020 @ 3:23 p.m.

Name: Michael Hermann
Age: 60 years
Cause of Death: herniation of the brain; due to subdural hemorrhage; due to blunt impact
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 13, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 6900 block of N. Post St. in Spokane, WA on January 10, 2020

Name: Clando Anitok
Age: 25 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the head
Manner: Homicide

The manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner does not address presence or absence of intent, culpability or justification of any action associated with a death. The manner of death is a statistical classification on the death certificate, the way in which a death is categorized per  the Washington State Department of Health (Accident, Homicide, Natural, Suicide, Undetermined).

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 8, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the intersection of Spokane Falls Blvd. and Hamilton St. in Spokane, WA on January 6, 2020

Name: Michael Bryan Donahey
Age: 50 years
Cause of Death: Massive left hemothorax due to transection of aorta due to blunt impact to chest
Manner: Accident

The manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner is not the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

_________________________________________________

SPOKANE COUNTY, January 7, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on January 3, 2020 as the result of an incident in the 12000 block of Sprague Ave. in Spokane Valley, WA on December 29, 2019

Name: Daniel Glen Jarman
Age: 40 years
Cause of Death: Left subdural hemorrhage, due to blunt impact to head Contributory Factors: Brain contusions, basilar skull fracture
Manner: Homicide

_________________________________________________

SPOKANE COUNTY, January 2, 2020 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on January 1, 2020 as the result of an incident at Riverside State Park ORV Park in Nine Mile Falls, WA on January 1, 2020

Name: Shad Eugene Bordwell
Age: 48 years
Cause of Death: Blunt head injury
Manner: Accident

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Definitions:

Cause of Death:
Cause of Death is used to indicate the medical cause of death, listing the disease(s) or injuries that caused death. Specific cause of death information is recorded on the death certificate and is entered into the Washington State Vital Statistic system.

Manner of Death:
Manner of Death is a statistical classification on the death certificate, the way in which death is categorized per the Washington State Department of Health (Accident, Homicide, Natural, Suicide, Undetermined).

Death Certification:
The Death certificate is a Washington State Health Department Document, NOT a Medical Examiner or Coroner document, the death certification process includes manner of death classification of (Accident, Homicide, Natural, Suicide, Undetermined), intended to describe the action associated with a death, if any, for public health department vital statistics purposes. The manner of death as used by the Office of the Medical Examiner does not address presence or absence of intent, culpability or justification of any action associated with a death and therefore any determination by the Medical Examiner of Suicide, Accident or Homicide in no way limits the ability of law enforcement to investigate to whatever extent they deem appropriate or necessary; nor is the manner of death as determined by a Medical Examiner the same as the prosecutor’s legal determination, for example, most motor vehicle deaths are classified as "accident " by the Medical Examiner, however the prosecutor may pursue a legal charge of "vehicular homicide".

Accident - is defined as a death other than natural, where there is no evidence of intent, i.e. unintentional.

Homicide - is defined as a death due to the acts of another.

Natural - is defined as a death solely by organic disease. If natural death is hastened by injury (such as a fall), the manner of death will not be considered natural.

Pending - is a temporary designation for cause and/or manner when additional investigation, information and/or test results are required for certification. Pending is amended once all information and test results are received. 

Suicide - is defined as a death as the result of a purposeful action, with intent (explicit or implicit) to end one’s life.

                 Suicide Prevention Information

Approximately 45,000 people die by suicide each year in the United States.
If you or someone you know is in crisis and may be experiencing suicidal thoughts, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Life line at

1-800-273-8255(TALK) or https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/suicide-prevention/index.shtml     

 

Text "Hello" to 741741 to talk with a trained helper at the Crisis Text Line Or

Call locally to First call for Help Crisis Hotline 

(509) 838-4428 Or

                                                                                                   Call 911 Or  

                            

Walk into any hospital emergency room

Undetermined - is the manner of death assigned when there is insufficient evidence or information to assign to accident, homicide, suicide or natural categories, or when 2 plausible manners are equally likely.

* When a death is un-witnessed the date of discovery is recorded as the date of death.

* See the Medical Examiner’s Annual Report for details regarding causes and manner of death is Spokane County. 


The postmortem report is confidential in the State of Washington (RCW 68.50.105). For information about obtaining postmortem reports, please call the Medical Examiner's Office at (509) 477-2296 or e-mail to medexam@spokanecounty.org.