Media Release Information

The information published on this page has been requested by media. Upon request, publicly releasable information is posted here. The information is updated Monday through Friday by 4:00 PM. Media should check back here for updates

For media or non-family member inquiries please email: [email protected]

Postmortem examination reports are confidential in the State of Washington (RCW 68.50.105).

For immediate family members, please call the Medical Examiner’s Office at (253) 798-6494 or email the office at [email protected].

Toxicology Testing

In many cases the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office (PCMEO) requests a toxicology analysis from the Washington State Toxicology Laboratory in Seattle, WA. This typically involves sending a blood sample to the lab which then tests for selected medications as well as common drugs of abuse, and returns a report to our office. This process typically takes approximately 12 to 14 weeks, but may take longer depending on the lab’s workload, staffing, and the complexity of the testing required. For some cases, the pathologist may be able to complete the Cause and Manner of Death and issue an autopsy report prior to toxicology testing being complete. In other cases, however, accurate determination of the Cause and Manner of Death, and finalization of the autopsy report, cannot be accomplished until the results of toxicology testing are known.

Definitions

Cause of Death

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

Manner of Death

Manner of Death is a statistical classification of deaths per the Washington State Department of Health into one of five pre-determined categories: Accident, Homicide, Natural, Suicide, and Undetermined (see definitions below). It should be noted that Manner of Death is assigned for Public Health statistical purposes and is NOT a legal determination.

Accident

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

Homicide

Homicide - is defined as a death due to intentionally inflicted harm (explicit or implicit) of one person by another, including actions of grossly reckless behavior.

Natural

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

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 and reviewed by the pathologist.

Suicide

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

Undetermined

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.

Death Certificate

The Death Certificate is a document that specifies a person is legally deceased. It is created and issued by the Washington State Department of Health, Vital Records. For deaths that are investigated by the Medical Examiner, the Medical Examiner provides some of the information that is included on the Death Certificate (for example, the Cause and Manner of death) and signs the document. For deaths that are not investigated by the Medical Examiner, a non-Medical Examiner physician or other health care provider provides the information and signature. To obtain copies of a Death Certificate, please refer to the Washington State Department of Health website.

Media Release Information

Media Releases

Incident on 07/18/2021 near the 900 block of A Street in Tacoma, WA

Incident on 7/18/2021 near Pacific Avenue & South 56th Street in Tacoma, WA

June 2021 Heat Wave: Heat-Related Deaths in Pierce County

Incident on 7/15/2021 near the 4600 Block of East B Street in Tacoma, WA

June 2021 Heat Wave: Heat-Related Deaths in Pierce County

Incident on 7/9/2021 near the 8000 Block of Pacific Highway East in Milton, WA

Incident on 7/3/2021 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, WA

June 2021 Heat Wave: Heat-Related Deaths in Pierce County

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