Northern California Woman Dies After Venomous Snake Bite in Mendocino County

A 78-year-old Northern California woman died after being bitten by a venomous snake on a rural property in Mendocino County, according to the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office.

The incident occurred on April 8, 2026, and the woman was transported to a hospital by her family, where she later died from her injuries. A forensic examination conducted on April 15 confirmed the cause of death as envenomation.

The snake species responsible for the bite has not been identified by authorities.

This death marks the third snakebite fatality in California in 2026, following a 46-year-old hiker who died in Ventura County on March 14 after a rattlesnake encounter and a 25-year-old mountain biker in Orange County who died from a rattlesnake bite in early February.

California Poison Control’s Fresno-Madera Division reported that by the end of March 2026, it had already logged around 70 rattlesnake bite cases, significantly exceeding its typical annual range of 300 to 350 reports for a full year.

Officials advise the public to wear closed-toe shoes and long pants in snake-prone areas, stay on marked trails, carry a phone and water, and avoid approaching or handling wild snakes, regardless of their appearance.

Snake activity increases in spring as temperatures rise, and officials urge heightened awareness for those hiking in rural Northern California.