Record Las Vegas Heat Kills More Than 63 So Far — Report

The record-breaking Las Vegas heat contributed to the loss of 63 lives so far this summer, according to a new report from the Clark County coroner’s office.

However, that number is likely to climb significantly higher before cooler weather takes hold after Labor Day. Also, the new report only lists cases that were investigated by the coroner’s office, and people whose identities were confirmed and next of kin were notified.

The oldest person reported to have died in part due to the heat between May 27 and July 27 was a 94-year-old man who lived with diabetes. The youngest, a 29-year-old man, died from the heat combined with the effects of methamphetamine toxicity.

The coroner’s office stated that certain drugs, especially fentanyl, exacerbate the effects of excessive heat and function as co-morbidities. This is also true of chronic diseases, mental illness, poor fluid intake, inappropriate attire, excessive physical exertion, and age.

Heat-related illness, which is preventable, occurs when a person’s body temperature rises faster than it can cool down. This can cause heat stroke, damaging the brain and/or other vital organs. Untreated, this usually leads to death.

The coroner ruled every death listed in its report as accidental.

It should be stated that this new data doesn’t jibe with the latest heat death report issued by the Southern Nevada Health District, which lists only six heat-related deaths in Clark County between May 27 and July 14.