York Co. Coroner's 2023 report: Spike in Xylazine deaths, record number of murder-suicides

While fall-related deaths remain the No. 1 cause of traumatic demises in York County annually, Coroner Pam Gay's 2023 report highlights a variety of concerns from a record number of murder-suicides to a spike in the loss of life from a dangerous drug new to the area.

Gay issued her 2023 annual report on Thursday morning about the leading causes of traumatic deaths in York County. It takes a look at homicides, suicides, overdoses, fatal crashes and more.

Homicides in York County decreased by about 37% in 2023. The office investigated 19 homicides last year, but the number includes one victim who died in York County from a Franklin County incident. Most of the homicides occurred in suburban and rural communities.

Meanwhile, the city's homicide rate dropped 71 percent last year, the report states. It had 6 cases in 2023. Gay gave accolades to the York City Police, Commissioner Mike Muldrow, Mayor Michael Helfrich and his staff, the Black Ministers Association, Tiff Lowe and the Group Violence Intervention program and the Chiefs & Clergy Partnership.

"York City is experiencing some positive change, and that is good news for all of York County," she wrote.

Saving lives: York gun violence was down dramatically in 2023. Police credit changes in enforcement

Murder-suicides set record in York County

For the first time in its known history, the coroner's office investigated a record number of murder-suicides. The six cases resulted in 14 deaths − eight by homicide and six by suicide − "with hundreds of lives impacted, including children," she wrote.

It included the Daub family of West Manchester Township that died in a suicide pact. Police believe 59-year-old Deborah shot her 62-year-old husband, James, and their 26-year-old daughter, Morgan, then killed her mother before taking her own life.

It's not clear why the number of murder-suicides have increased, Gay said.

"I believe that there are many factors that go into the emotions behind the decisions others sometimes make to end their lives and/or those of their loved ones," she wrote.

"There are dark and ominous things that go on behind closed doors, that people often hide from their neighbors, friends and others on the outside," she wrote. "And I know that there are a lot of people who wake up every morning, expecting to go about their day, expecting to come home at the end of the day and be with their intact family, without ever expecting sudden and catastrophic events to occur that might take them away or separatethem from each other. And sadly, it is through these events that we are constantly reminded that tomorrow is never promised to us."

She noted that organizations such as Suicide Prevention of York and Aevidum "continue to work hard to reverse the trend of increasing numbers of suicides nationwide, but there is still a lot of work to do."

York County sees spike in deaths from Xylazine

Another disturbing trend in the report is a 450% increase in deaths from Xylazine, a sedative that is approved for veterinary use. It is also known as "Tranq,” according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The coroner's office reported 6 cases in 2022, and the number rose to 33 in 2023, the report states.

In York County, Xylazine is combined with Fentanyl, and that makes it more difficult to revive the person after an overdose.

"Sadly, we expect that Xylazine will become even more prevalent in the months ahead and will contribute to more deaths," Gay wrote.

Also of interest: Pam Gay named one of York County's most influential people for 2023

Fall-related deaths increase in York County in 2023

York County saw a 6% increase in fall-related deaths in 2023, Gay said in the report. It recorded 156 cases last year compared with 147 in 2022.

The victims often suffer hip and leg fractures or a traumatic brain bleed, the report states. Older adults often have trouble recovering from their injuries or develop complications, such as pneumonia, mobility problems and skin breakdown, from not being as active.

The increase is expected with the growing population and older adults living longer; however, these types of deaths are often preventable, she said.

The York County Falls Free Coalition, the York County Area Agency on Aging and Matter of Balance coaches "continue to work hard at educating the public in how to reverse the trend," Gay's report states.

For more information, visit fallsfreeyork.org.

Alcohol and drug-related overdose deaths rank No. 2 in York County

Alcohol and drug-related overdose deaths rank No. 2 in the leading causes of traumatic deaths in York County, the report states.

The coroner's office has seen some progress in reducing deaths. For example, it recorded a 30% decrease in alcohol-related deaths since 2022. This does not include people who died from chronic alcoholism but their death was categorized as natural, the report states.

However, the report noted increases in other areas since 2022, including:

• A 13.7% increase in heroin/fentanyl-related overdoses

• A 58% increase in methamphetamine-related overdoses

• A 16% increase in cocaine-related overdoses

• An 11% increase in people dying with prescription drugs in their system

The coroner's office is a member of the Overdose Fatality Review Team, and Deputy Coroner Tania Zech serves as a board member on the York Opioid Collaborative. The office also partners with the Not One More-York County Chapter. The effort is to educate the public about substance abuse disorder, treatment that is available and ways to help save lives, the report states.

Suicides come in third for traumatic deaths in York County

Suicides rank third in traumatic deaths in York County, the report states. The coroner's office investigated 73 last year, falling within the 60 to 80 range that has been recorded over the past 11 years.

Most occurred from gunshot wounds, hangings or various forms of poisoning, the report states.

Gay said in her report this year that she continues to view traumatic deaths related to gun violence as a public health epidemic. Her office sees 40 to 60 cases annually from homicides and suicides.

"We participate, along with other coroners and medical examiners across the state, in confidentially reporting all violent deaths to the PA Department of Health as they assist counties in developing tools and strategies for prevention and harm reduction and improved access to mental health/counseling and support services," Gay wrote in the report. "By being transparent about violent deaths in PA, we hope to effect some change for the better."

The statement in her annual report last year angered some. She received responses from people who believe that she wants to take away guns, but she said that's not the case. She has family members and friends who are responsible gun owners.

She suggested looking for solutions to these traumatic deaths, such as improving mental health services and better limiting access to weapons for people who are in an emotional crisis or are distraught.

Show kindness by reaching out to others

In her report, Gay encourages the public to show kindness to one another.

"Life is valuable and precious, as they say. Take a few minutes to show an act of kindness toward others each day. That single act of kindness, that knock on the door, that dropping off of a meal, that sending a card or making that call, might just be enough to make someone want to go on living their life that day," she wrote.

"It’s really that simple. Hard for us to do sometimes as we get caught up in ourselves. But the result of that small effort of giving back to another is often far worth it," she said.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: York County PA Coroner Pam Gay releases 2023 death report