Using a method known as "excess fatalities," BuzzFeed's data analysis found that the number of people who died in Texas during and after the winter storm was at least three times higher than during ordinary circumstances.
An Austin-Travis County EMS ambulance moves down South Congress Avenue during Monday s winter storm.
While Texas officials have confirmed that 151 deaths were related to the freeze in February, the death toll could actually be four or five times higher, according to a BuzzFeed data review.
Using mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BuzzFeed said it compared the number of deaths from all causes that were reported in Texas during and after the storm with the number of fatalities that are normally reported during ordinary conditions. That method is known as “excess fatalities” and has been employed during other disasters, like the COVID-19 pandemic, to estimate related death tolls.
By Mallika Kallingal and Keith Allen, CNN
Updated 3:55 AM ET, Fri May 14, 2021
Jimmy Wolfenbarger (left) has been indicted for the murder of Holly Simmons (right) in 2006. (CNN)The former landlord of a woman missing since 2006 in Texas surrendered to authorities Wednesday after being indicted for her murder, according to the Llano County Sheriff s Office.
Jimmy Wolfenbarger, 57, of Lubbock was indicted on May 3 on one count of murder in the death of Holly Simmons, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Simmons was 46 when she was reported missing by her 17-year-old daughter in 2006. She was last seen alive when she dropped off her daughter at the school bus stop the previous morning, authorities said in a statement.
Texas landlord indicted for the murder of a tenant in 14-year cold case
The former landlord of a woman missing since 2006 in Texas surrendered to authorities Wednesday after being indicted for her murder, according to the Llano County Sheriff’s Office.
Jimmy Wolfenbarger, 57, of Lubbock was indicted on May 3 on one count of murder in the death of Holly Simmons, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).
Simmons was 46 when she was reported missing by her 17-year-old daughter in 2006. She was last seen alive when she dropped off her daughter at the school bus stop the previous morning, authorities said in a statement.