Homicides, suicides, drownings, ODs down

PBC Medical Examiner releases data for 2023

Fewer people in Palm Beach County died by homicide, suicide, drug overdose and drowning in 2023 than in 2022, according to statistics released by the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office.

The office investigates violent, sudden, unexpected and suspicious deaths. It reported lower death rates for various categories last year, including a 19% decrease in homicides, which was 81, its lowest total of the past decade. There were 100 homicide cases in 2022. Since 2013, the county has averaged 99 homicide deaths per year, medical examiner records show.

Suicide and drug overdose deaths declined by 5% while drowning deaths went down by 22%.

2023 saw fewest PBC homicides in a decade

A Palm Beach Post review of cases showed that most homicide victims died from gunfire, with shooting deaths accounting for at least 57 cases. Four homicide cases involved two or more victims, including a January 2023 incident in Palm Springs in which three people described by police only as young males were shot and killed.

Two men died in confrontations with law enforcement officers.

West Palm Beach police reported 14 homicide cases, down from 18 in 2022. Riviera Beach police officials touted a decade-low seven cases in 2023.

“The dedication and cooperation of our officers and the community have been instrumental in achieving this milestone,” Riviera Beach Police Chief Michael Coleman said in a statement provided to The Palm Beach Post. “We remain steadfast in our commitment to maintaining this positive trajectory in ensuring a safer Riviera Beach.”

The department did not make Coleman or its detectives available for an interview.

The medical examiner’s office classifies homicides as a death caused by another person and includes acts that