Sparrow Forensic Pathology issues annual report on local deaths 

LANSING, MI – Sparrow Forensic Pathology Services has released its 2021 annual report on deaths in the five counties (Eaton, Ingham, Ionia, Isabella, and Shiawassee) in which Sparrow served as Medical Examiner at that time. The report provides detail on the manner of deaths, such as drugs, suicide, and homicide, along with historical data for comparison.

The report shows accidental deaths increased since 2017 in part due to drug-related deaths in Ingham, Ionia, and Isabella counties.  The number of homicides reported in 2021 increased from 2020 in all but Ionia county.

The report also reveals the generosity of local organ donors in 2021. The Office of the Medical Examiner says referrals to connect families wishing to donate organs and tissue to Gift of Life Michigan were up by 33% across the five counties, saving and healing hundreds of lives despite the continuing challenge of the COVID pandemic.

As the Office of the Medical Examiner, Sparrow is nationally accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners to perform autopsies, postmortem examinations, and on-scene forensic death investigations as an important part of the investigation process. The report, and other Forensic Pathology findings, can be found at Sparrow.org/omereports. When you get to the page, click on “Office of the Medical Examiner — 2021 Annual Report.”

About Sparrow:
Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia, and St. Johns, as well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE.  Through our partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit www.sparrow.org.