Media Release Information

All information on this page has been requested by media.

For all media requesting information: e-mail to [email protected] . 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 [email protected].

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 locally to First call for Help Crisis Hotline (509) 838-4428

Or Call 911

Or Walk into any hospital emergency room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

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SPOKANE COUNTY, November 14, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 7000 block of N. Morton St in Spokane, WA on November 4, 2018.

Name: Ryan Anthony Cerge
Age: 22 Years
Cause of Death: Contact gunshot wound of the head
Manner: Pending

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 24, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the 100 block of S. Division in Spokane, WA on October 23, 2018.

Name: Lance J. Ogle
Age: 35 Years
Cause of Death: Stab wound of chest
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 24, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at the corner of 33rd and High Drive in Spokane, WA on October 22, 2018.

Name: Robert Gregory
Age: 36 Years
Cause of Death: Self-inflicted contact gunshot wound to head
Manner: Suicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 19, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the young man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on October 17, 2018, as the result of an incident in the 100 block of N. Washington in Spokane, WA on October 17, 2018

Name: Eddie L. Daniels III
Age: 15 Years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound to neck - chest
Manner: Homicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 19, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 900 block of W Main in Spokane, WA on October 17, 2018.

Name: Paul Eugene Gustafson
Age: 70 years
Cause of Death: Multiple blunt injuries
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, October 8, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died at 4106 N Cook on October 3, 2018

Name: Steven Lynn Cook
Age: 55 years
Cause of Death: Atherosclerotic coronary vascular disease
Contributory Factors: Diabetes mellitus
Manner: Natural

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Media is requesting information regarding a decedent who was found in the Spokane River near Euclid Rd and Lynden Rd in Otis Orchards, WA on September 15, 2018. At this time this office has no information to provide. This page will be updated when information is available.

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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 17, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who was found at the base of the Monroe Street Bridge in Spokane, WA on September 7, 2018.

Name: Yevgeniy Grebenchuk
Age: 41Years
Cause of Death: Crush injury to skull with avulsion of brain
Manner: Suicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 17, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident in the 4100 block of N. Cook in Spokane, WA on September 14, 2018.

Name: Deborah Talbart
Age: 70 Years
Cause of Death: Pending carbon monoxide testing
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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Media is requesting information regarding an unattended death which occurred near a walking trail in the 1100 block of N. Superior St. on 09/13/2018. At this time this office has no information to provide. This page will be updated when information is available.

***Update 09/17/2018

SPOKANE COUNTY, September 17, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as near milepost 21 on the Centennial Trail in Spokane, WA on September 13, 2018.

Name: Glen E. Weaver
Age: 46 Years
Cause of Death: Pending toxicology
Manner: Pending

SPOKANE COUNTY, September 13, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 1600 block of S. Windsor in Spokane, WA on September 10, 2018.

Name: Kip Leonetti
Age: 38 Years
Cause of Death: Asphyxia due to suffocation by plastic bag
Manner: Suicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, September 5, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 100 block of 1st Street in Cheney, WA on September 4, 2018

Name: Steve L. Anderson
Age: 40 Years
Cause of Death: Multiple gunshot wounds
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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 28, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who was found on August 25, 2018 in the Spokane County Jail and later died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on August 25, 2018

Name: Cindy Hill
Age: 55 Years
Cause of Death: Acute bacterial peritonitis due to ruptured duodenal-liver adhesions with perforation of duodenum

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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 22, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an
incident at Trent and Evergreen, Spokane Valley WA on August 19, 2018

Name: Bryan C. Bayne
Age: 42 years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds
Manner: Homicide

The death certificate in 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.
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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 22, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an
incident in the 1200 block of N Havana, Spokane WA on August 21, 2018

Name: Daryl Thomas McCarthy
Age: 56 years
Cause of Death: Laceration of heart due to blunt impact to chest
Contributory Factors: rib fractures, basilar skull fracture, liver laceration
Manner: Vehicular Accident

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, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 6000 block of E 6th Spokane Valley, WA on August 20, 2018.

Name: Howard Holmes
Age: 81 Years
Cause of Death: Smoke inhalation
Manner: Accident
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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 15, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident near the intersection of North Division and East Providence in Spokane, WA on August 8, 2018.

Name: Mark Edward Lambert
Age: 60 Years
Cause of Death: Blunt head and chest injury
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 15, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the woman who was found deceased on W. Second Ave. in Spokane, WA on August 14, 2018.

Name: Telisa L. Buffington
Age: 24 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, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who was found deceased on E. Pine Ridge Ct. in Spokane, WA on August 12, 2018.

Name: Christopher Ryan Swenson
Age: 42 Years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

SPOKANE COUNTY, August 9, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who died at the Spokane County Jail on August 9, 2018.

Name: Christopher N Luman
Age: 56 Years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

*** UPDATE September 14, 2018:

Cause of Death: Fatal heart attack due to physical altercation with another person
Contributory Factors: Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 7, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 37000 block of N. Sherman Rd. in Deer Park, WA on August 3, 2018.

Name: Josh A. Martin
Age: 31 Years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds
Manner: Homicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, August 8, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the infant who died at the 10000 block of E. Riverside in Spokane Valley, WA on 07/31/2018.

Name: Dillan M. Miller
Age: 27 Days
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

SPOKANE COUNTY, July 26, 2018 - 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 involving law enforcement in the 3000 block of E Hills Court in Spokane, WA on July 25,2018.

Name: Richard Roosevelt Bahr
Age: 54 Years
Cause of Death: Penetrating gunshot wound to face-neck
Manner: Homicide

*** Updated 07/27/2018 to include middle name***

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 25, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the woman who died at the Spokane County Jail on July 17, 2018.

Name: Cambrea M Bishop
Age: 26 Years
Cause of Death: Pending toxicology
Manner: Pending

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The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s 2017 annual report is now complete it is available to view along with previous years’ annual reports on the Medical Examiner web page at: http://www.spokanecounty.org/3003/Annual-Reports.
Highlights:
· AccidentalDrug Overdoses in 2017 in Spokane County totaled 75, a decrease of 40 from2016

Ø The most common opioids listed as causing or contributing to accidental overdose were

§ Oxycodone (in 7deaths)

§ Hydrocodone (in 6deaths)

§ Morphine (in 7 deaths)

§ Methadone (in 8 deaths)

§ Benzodiazepines (in 10deaths) - though benzodiazepines are not opioids they are included with theopioids as national data which indicates that benzodiazepines are often used in combination with opioids in prescription medication deaths.

· Homicides in 2017 in Spokane County totaled 26, an increase of 1 over 2016
· Vehicular Deaths in 2017 in Spokane County totaled 58, an increase of 17 over 2016
· Suicide Deaths in 2017 in Spokane County totaled 122, an increase of 31 over 2016

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 10, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on July 8, 2018 as the result of an incident in the Spokane River in Spokane, WA on July 8, 2018.

Name: Dennis Allan Fitch
Age: 41 Years
Cause of Death: Drowning
Manner: Accident
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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 10, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who was found in the 700 block of E. Second in Spokane, WA on July 8, 2018.

Name: Aaron David Anderson
Age: 38 Years
Cause of Death: Pending toxicology
Manner: Pending
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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 10, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 3100 block of N. Nelson in Spokane, WA on July 8, 2018.

Name: Kionte Bullard
Age: 21 Years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, July 5, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the woman who died as the result of an incident in the Spokane River at the Bowl and Pitcher area in Riverside State Park in Spokane, WA on July 3, 2018.

Name: Deise C. Nagle
Age:56 Years
Cause of Death: Drowning
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 18, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who died at the Spokane County Jail on June 13, 2018.

Name: Shane Alan Carson
Age: 31 Years
Cause of Death: Pending toxicology
Manner: Pending

***Updated October 10, 2018

Cause of Death: Combined drug toxicity due to simultaneous use of methamphetamine and opiate
Manner: Accident
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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 5, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of a man who died at Finch Arboretum in Spokane, WA on May 24, 2018.

Name: Joshua Lane Anderson
Age: 39 Years
Cause of Death: Ligature compression of the neck
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 5, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on June 4, 2018 as the result of an incident at the intersection of second and Browne in Spokane, WA on June 4, 2018.

Name: Kari Green
Age: 61 Years
Cause of Death: Blunt head Injury Contributory Factors: Blunt chest and pelvic injuries
Manner: Vehicular Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, June 1, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who was found in the Spokane River near the 4400 block of Aubrey L White Parkway in Spokane, WA on May 31, 2018

Name: Kara Lynn Massie
Age: 27 Years
Cause of Death: Drowning
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 31, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on May 21, 2018 after an incident at the Spokane County Jail on May 19, 2018.

Name: Patrick J. Flynn
Age: 36 years
Cause of Death: hypoxic encephalopathy due to hanging
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 25, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died in the 20000 block of Wellesley Rd in Otis Orchards, on May 24, 2018

Name: Pamala Carlton
Age: 56 Years
Cause of Death: Atlanto-occipital disarticulation due to blunt impact to head
Manner: Vehicular Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 25, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on May 23, 2018, as the result of an incident in the 7000 block of N. Atlantic in Spokane, WA on May 23, 2018

Name: Demetrius C. Hoskins
Age: 36 Years
Cause of Death: Stab wound to chest
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 24, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of a man who died on 3rd and Division in Spokane, WA on May 22, 2018.

Name: James Meier
Age: 29 Years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 24, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on May 22, 2018 after an incident at the I90 Sprague on ramp in Spokane Valley, WA on May 22, 2018.

Name: Clinton P. Heindl
Age: 45 Years
Cause of Death: Blunt chest, pelvic and extremity injuries
Manner: Vehicular Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 21, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died on May 18, 2018 at Nettleton and Cleveland in Spokane, WA as the result of an incident on May 17, 2018.

Name: Corey A Ward
Age: 28 Years
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds and multiple incised wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 10, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident at 3rd and Perry in Spokane, WA on April 24, 2018:

Name: Jeffery Allen Valentine
Age: 25 years
Cause of Death: Extensive fractures of base and vault of skull with avulsion of frontal brain due to blunt impact to head

Manner: Vehicular Accident

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, May 7, 2018 - The Spokane County
Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who collapsed at Broadway and Adams in Spokane, WA on May 6, 2018:

Name: Brook Kamp
Age: 72 years
Medical Examiner reviewed investigative information and released jurisdiction.
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SPOKANE COUNTY, May 7, 2018 - The Spokane County
Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of a child who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on November 26, 2017 as the result of an incident in the 5200 block of W. Anderson in Rathdrum, ID on November 26, 2017

Name: Stella Marie Engell
Age: 7 months 3 days
Cause of Death: Blunt Force Head Injury
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 30, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the man who died as the result of an incident in Spokane, WA on April 11, 2018

Name: Jonathan Todd Edmonds
Age: 41 years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending law enforcement investigation

*** Updated 1232 06/05/2018 *** Cause of Death: Drowning
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 25, 2018 - The Spokane County
Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an
incident in Cheney, WA on April 24, 2018

Name: Ralph Pickel
Age: 68 years
Cause of Death: Smoke inhalation
Contributory Factors: Thermal burns
Manner: Pending fire investigation

**Update - August 22, 2018 - Manner of death updated to Accident
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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 25, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of the man who died in a vehicle at the Holy Family Hospital Emergency Room entrance on March 8, 2018

Name: Robb L. Enger
Age: 54 Years
Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the chest
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 11, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of a man who died who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on February 27, 2018 as the result of an incident in the 1500 block of N. Nelson in Spokane, WA on February 26, 2018.

Name: Thomas William Delafield
Age: 34 Years
Cause of Death: Penetrating gunshot wound to head
Manner: Pending Law Enforcement Investigation

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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 10, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of a woman who died as the result of an incident in the 3100 block of E 8th Ave, in Spokane, WA on April 7, 2018.

Name: Keli Jo Weber-Lovitt (AKA: Keli Jo Jurdy)
Age: 50 Years
Cause of Death: Perforating gunshot wound of head
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 10, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of a woman who was found at the Waste Management Center in the 2900 block of S. Geiger in Spokane, WA on April 5, 2018.

Name: Stephanie A. Standen
Age: 79 Years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

This office was able to locate next of kin on April 11, 2018 after being unable to do so for several days.

Thank you to those members of the public who contacted this office.

*** UPDATE October 10, 2018:

Cause of Death: Blunt force injuries to head with facial and skull fractures
Manner: Homicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, April 5, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause and manner of death of an individual who died as the result of an incident in the 600 block of W. 1st in Spokane, WA on February 20,2018.

Name: Jacob Juviler
Age: 19 Years
Cause of Death: Multiple blunt injuries
Manner: Suicide
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Media is requesting information regarding an incident which occurred on the 700 block of South Ivory St on 03/08/2018. As of 0930 no report has been made to the Medical Examiner's Office. This page will be updated when information is available.

*** Updated 1400 03/08/2018 ***

The case was reported to our office today at 1000. This page will be updated when information is available.

*** Updated 1434 03/09/2018 ***

SPOKANE COUNTY, March 9, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident at the 700 block of South Ivory on 03/08/2018.

Name: Allison L. Davie
Age: 69 Years
Cause of Death: Smoke inhalation
Manner: Pending fire investigation

*** Updated 1232 06/05/2018 *** Manner of death updated to Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, March 7, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on 06/20/2017 as the result of an incident at the Spokane County Jail on 06/15/2017.

Name: Brandon P. Ryans
Age: 41 Years
Cause of Death: Hanging
Manner: Suicide
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SPOKANE COUNTY, March 7, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died at the Spokane
County Jail on March 1, 2018.

Name: David R. Good
Age: 52 Years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

*** UPDATE August 30, 2018:

Cause of Death: Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents due to combined opiate and methamphetamine intoxication
Contributory Factors: Hypertensive heart disease and emphysema
Manner: Accident
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SPOKANE COUNTY, February 8, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died at Sacred Heart Medical Center on February 2, 2018 as the result of an incident in Cheney, WA on January 29, 2018.

Name: Sunny J. Mika
Age: 62 Years
Cause of Death: Penetrating gunshot wound to head
Manner: Pending Law Enforcement Investigation

**Update - August 22, 2018 - Manner of death updated to Accident
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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 30, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident in the 7600 block of N. Division in Spokane, WA on January 26, 2018.

Name: Michele Renee Purkey
Age: 53 Years
Cause of Death: Extensive fractures of the base and vault of the skull with brain lacerations due to blunt impact - crush injury of skull
Manner: Vehicular Accident

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Media is requesting information on the following case from 2013, the following information was originally release on September 9, 2013:

Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office confirms
the identity and cause and manner of death of the individual who was found September 9, 2013 on N. Monroe St. in Spokane, WA

SPOKANE COUNTY, September 9, 2013 – The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s Office has confirmed the identity and cause and manner of death of the individual who was found September 9, 2013 on N. Monroe in Spokane, WA

Name: Julian D. Morrison
Age: 26 Years
Cause of Death: Gunshots wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 24, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in Cheney, WA on January 23, 2018.

Name: Mark R. Weigand
Age: 22 Years
Cause of Death: Perforating gunshot wound of head - mouth
Manner: Suicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 23, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity of the woman who was found on January 14, 2018 at Cable Creek and Appleway Blvd.

Name: Donna Marie Kemp
Age: 58 Years
Cause of Death: Pending
Manner: Pending

******Updated October 24, 2018:
Cause of Death: Hypothermia
Manner: Undetermined

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 22, 2018 - Media is requesting information regarding an incident which occurred at Riverfront Park in Spokane, WA on January 19, 2018. At present, this office has no information to release.

******Updated January 25, 2018:

Name: Lorae S. Sims
Age: 63 Years
Cause of Death: Transtentorial herniation of the brain due to skull fracture with brain contusions due to blunt impact to head
Manner: Accident

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SPOKANE COUNTY, January 9, 2018 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the woman who died as the result of an incident in the 1000 block of S. Buena Vista in Spokane, WA on January 6, 2018.

Name: Jade M. Bost
Age: 64 Years
Cause of Death: Multiple stab wounds and multiple incised wounds
Manner: Homicide

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SPOKANE COUNTY, December 28, 2017 - The Spokane County Medical Examiner has confirmed the identity and the cause of death of the man who died as the result of an incident in the 1000 block of E. 18th in Spokane, WA on December 24, 2017.

Name: John W. Cummings
Age: 56 Years
Cause of Death: Perforating gunshot wound to head
Manner: Suicide

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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.

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