According to Salisbury, his office saw an increase in natural, drowning and suicide deaths last year but saw a decrease in accidental, homicide and traffic fatalities.
For the prior year, the coroner’s office investigated 828 deaths. For 2015, that number jumped to 933.
“Each year our total deaths increase,” stated Salisbury. “I would like to thank my staff for the great job they do throughout the year. We are working when others are sleeping or at holiday family events.”
Here’s how the 2015 numbers break down:
- Natural: 764
- Suicide: 30
- Accidental: 31 (Most were accidental overdose.)
- Traffic deaths: 36
- Drowning: 6
- Homicide: 8
- Assisting coroners from other counties: 35
- Pending investigation: 19 (Most are waiting results from autopsies and toxicology.)
- Undetermined: 4
