Two deaths in residences in the municipality of Santa Cruz, occurring on the same day in September 2026, prompted questions about a potential rise in cases of people found dead at home on Madeira. In both instances, firefighters were called to open doors and found the victims deceased.
A review of regional news archives suggests this type of occurrence is far from new. Similar cases were reported in various previous years, including 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2022, and 2023, with varying levels of media coverage. While 2026 saw more reported cases than the two preceding years, there is no evidence of a continuous growth trend, but rather significant fluctuations over time.
It is important to note that not all individuals found deceased at home were living alone, and not all situations are reported by the media. The research conducted was not exhaustive but aimed to compare reported incidents over the years to assess the perception of an increase.
