(Lander, WY) – In his last official report after announcing his retirement in May, County Coroner Mark Stratmoen shared his office’s update, which covers data up to May 31st.
The total number of fatal cases so far this year is at 57, five more than this time last year at 52.
Of these fatalities 18 were accidental, over twice the amount from this time last year when the number stood at 8. This spike in accidental deaths is mostly due to vehicular fatalities, totalling at 9. There were only 2 by this time in 2020.
According to Stratmoen, drugs or alcohol continue to be a common factor in a majority of these incidents.
There have been 5 suicides so far this year, down from 7 in June of 2020, and 1 homicide, also down from last year when there were 2.