Maricopa has seen five heat-related deaths so far this summer, the highest total since the Pinal County Medical Examiner’s Office began investigating these cases in 2020, according to InMaricopa.
The office confirmed that Derrick Fox, 56, Gary Granneman, 75, and Vincent Castillo, 58, died July 27 and 28 from a combination of environmental heat exposure and health issues. Two of the men were found inside homes where air conditioning systems were functional but turned off, according to Division Manager André Davis.
Earlier this summer, Garry Folta, 75, died June 20 and Vernitta Alexander, 84, died June 23 after succumbing to the heat indoors, the report said. The article noted that a majority of heat-related deaths investigated by the medical examiner last year happened inside homes.
Officials also said Pinal County has seen 33 heat-related deaths so far this year, nearly 14% more than during the same period last year. The Arizona Heat Preparedness Network lists one official cooling center in the Maricopa area at Thunderbird Fire District, with additional cooling locations listed by Maricopa Senior Living.
