YORK COUNTY'S 18 HOMICIDES IN 2004 TIE RECORD

York County had 18 homicides in 2004, matching the previous record high
number of killings set in 1973, according to the county coroner's annual
report released Tuesday.

There were 17 homicides in the county in 2003.

York County Coroner Barry Bloss said his office investigated 490 deaths
last year, a substantial increase from 2003.

But, he said, the average number of homicides is still down over a 10-year
average because the numbers fluctuate from year to year. The average is
still about 10, he said.

He pointed out the county had 14 homicides in 2002 and five in 2001.

And, although there's no rhyme or reason to the rise and fall, at least one
reason behind many of the killings - domestic problems - remains the same,
Bloss said. Six of the 18 homicides in 2004 were the result of domestic
problems, he said.

Twelve of the homicides occurred in York, the report indicated. Killings
also occurred in Fairview, Shrewsbury, Manchester and Peach Bottom
townships, as well as York Haven, the report stated.

Yvonne Gouseff, who was shot by a member of the York County Quick Response
Team after a standoff at her West Manchester Township home in September,
died at York Hospital, so the coroner's office reported her death as a city
homicide.

Most victims were shot, but three people were stabbed, two people were
beaten and one woman was strangled, the report stated.

The biggest increase in the year-end report was in the number of
drug-related deaths, which doubled from the previous year. According to the
report, 30 people died from drugs, up from 14 in 2003.

"It's the highest it's ever been," Bloss said.

But no single drug was used more than another, he said. Five people died
from cocaine, eight from heroin, six from OxyContin and 11 from multiple
toxicity, he said.

Bloss said the bottom line is "if you're a drug abuser, it's going to kill
you."

The increase in drug-related deaths might indicate a need for more
education, he said. "It's a major problem and we need to do something," he
said.

The county had three drownings in 2004, according to the report.

Karen King and her 4-year-old daughter, Hannah, who died after flood waters
washed their vehicle downstream in Felton on Mother's Day, were not
included in that number because they died in a traffic-related event, Bloss
said. Their deaths are considered traffic fatalities.

The death of 17-year-old Rashaad Randle, who was killed when a six-minute
police chase through the east side of York ended with the teen bolting from
his car into the path of a state police cruiser, also was recorded as a
traffic fatality. The York County District Attorney's Office cleared the
trooper of any wrongdoing in the teen's death.

Of the 55 people killed in traffic fatalities in 2004, five were pedestrians.

Fourteen people killed in crashes were not wearing seat belts, the
coroner's report indicated.

Of the five people who died in motorcycle crashes, three were not wearing
helmets, the report indicated. Bloss said he didn't see an increase in
motorcycle fatalities after the repeal of the mandatory helmet law in 2003.

The report indicated that four deaths were the result of fire, the same as
in 2003.

Those killed were Thomas "Cowboy" MacSkimming, 29, who died Feb. 15 in a
mobile home fire caused by careless smoking at the Quaker Race Campground
in Warrington Township; Rachel Krause, 14, and Cordell Spicer, 2, who were
killed in a Feb. 29 fire caused by an electrical malfunction at 613 W.
Philadelphia St. in York; and Sheila Price, 47, who died June 24 from smoke
inhalation at her home, 83 South St. in Hanover, after a fire that started
in an electrical socket.

In addition, 69 people died in "home/play accidents," an increase from 65
in 2003.

The vast majority of people who died in those accidents are elderly, Bloss
said. Mostly, they fell and hit their heads or fractured their hips, he
said. All but 11 were over the age of 65, he said.

The statistic should act as a warning to people who have loved ones in that
age group.

"We have to continue to educate the public to make homes safer for the
elderly," Bloss said.

The number of suicides also was up, with 54 in 2004, the coroner's office
reported. There were 41 in 2003 and 49 in 2002.

"They're the highest they've been since 1996," Bloss said.

The methods reported were carbon monoxide poisoning, hanging, shooting,
fire and drugs.

And, much like for homicides, the reasons for suicides - depression, health
problems and domestic problems - remain the same year after year.

Bloss said friends and relatives should take warning signs seriously when
someone threatens suicide.