El Paso County coroner: ‘Remarkable’ decrease in homicide autopsies

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KXRM) — The El Paso County Coroner Dr. Leon Kelly released the office’s 2023 annual report on Tuesday, July 16 which the Coroner’s Office said marked another record-setting year but one of successes.

The El Paso County Coroner’s Office not only serves El Paso County but 19 counties in Southern Colorado, and according to the report, there were 6,036 death investigations which is a 10% decrease from 2022, along with 1,563 autopsies performed, which represented an increase of 7%.

Total drug-related deaths decreased by 2%, according to the report, with Fentanyl deaths increasing by 6% which the coroner said represents a flattening of the rate of rise in fentanyl deaths seen over the last six years.

A reported 94% of drug-related deaths happened before being transported to the hospital, highlighting the need for community-based intervention, according to the El Paso County Coroner’s Office.

What is conveyed as a “remarkable decrease” is that 50 autopsies were homicides — a 36% decrease from 2022. The coroner said this was due to a decrease in nearly every injury category including firearms.

The coroner’s office said homicides most frequently happen in relation to an escalating altercation or domestic/family violence. Homicides in those experiencing homelessness dropped from 11 in 2022 to 4 in 2023.

Suicides decreased by 2% but youth suicide increased from 4 in 2022 to 10 in 2023. The Coroner’s Office said the most common risk factors identified include; relationship issues, financial struggles, substance abuse, chronic health problems, grief, and legal issues.

Other information included; that accidents made up 70% of deaths among those experiencing homelessness and more than half were the result of drug intoxication, according to the Coroner. Fatal motor vehicle crashes dropped by 19% with decreases in both passenger vehicles and motorcycles. There was an increase in chronic alcohol-related deaths continuing a multi-year rise.

“Every year, the coroner’s report provides critical foundational data concerning the most tragic outcomes in our community. Fortunately, this year it also identified areas of success, where individual and community efforts as well as broader national trends have improved the health and safety of our citizens, resulting in life-saving declines in preventable deaths,” said Dr. Kelly, El Paso County Coroner.

Previous year’s annual reports can be found on El Paso County’s website.

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