Soaring Temperatures Trigger 120% Spike in Heat-Related Death Investigations, Report Uncovers

If a death is listed as “under investigation,” that means the county medical examiner suspects a heat-related death.

MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office is currently investigating over 200 deaths as potentially heat-related, as of July 6, according to county data.

As of July 6, Maricopa County has confirmed 14 heat-related deaths in 2024. Nine were directly caused by heat, while five had heat as a contributing factor. There are 234 deaths under investigation.

“We know that June was hotter than June last year,” said Nick Staab, Assistant Medical Director of Maricopa County Public Health. “We know that the risk for heat-related death increases with those higher temperatures.”

Compared to this time last year, when 12 heat-related deaths were confirmed and 106 were under investigation, the current numbers show a significant increase. 12News is monitoring all heat-related deaths in Maricopa County this summer.

The state data also maps each heat-related death by city and zip code. The zip code with the highest number of heat-related deaths currently is 85210, located in Mesa.

“We’ve seen activity there before,” said Lindsey Balinkie from Mesa’s Community Services department. “It was on the map last year as well as some other areas.”

As of July 17, only three heat-related deaths were confirmed in 85210, yet Balinkie stressed that even one death is too many. “Our mayor and council are reviewing this data regularly to help make decisions,” she added.

One response has been a loaner program for air conditioners. The Department of Health Services data indicates that most indoor heat-related deaths occur when air conditioning systems are either shut off or broken. Mesa now offers a fleet of standalone air conditioners available for loan to those without working A/C.

The DHS data also reveals that of the confirmed heat-related deaths so far in 2024, 13% involved alcohol, 52% involved drug use, and 39% were among people experiencing homelessness.