Shari Sanders was found unconscious at Anderson Memorial Park during Carson's annual jazz festival on Saturday and was later pronounced dead at the scene, as temperatures in the park hovered around 100 degrees, according to KTLA. Her death came amid extreme heat in Southern California, and now her family, festival attendees, and city officials are grappling with what happened — and why.
According to KTLA, attendee Dionne Leslie performed CPR on Sanders for roughly 20 minutes until paramedics arrived and took over her care. Sanders, who was from Altadena, was reportedly not attended by her son and family in those critical moments.
What happened next has become part of the controversy surrounding the tragedy. Per the same account, Sanders' body was left covered by a blanket while the festival continued around her. Leslie openly criticized the City of Carson, saying the city had prioritized money and events over people.
Performers Pause to Honor Sanders
The festival lineup that day included Sheila E., B.I.G., and Jazz in Pink, the outlet reports. Sheila E. asked the crowd to say a blessing for Sanders and dedicated her set to her. Carson Mayor Lula Davis-Holmes later expressed condolences to Sanders' family, loved ones, and others affected by her death.
Sanders' cause of death remains under investigation, the report notes. Her son believes her death was heat-related and said his mother had no underlying health issues, according to the same report. A health professional who attended the festival described Saturday's high temperatures as serious even in the shade, in a memorial post referenced in the coverage.
Heat Warning Was Already in Effect
The timing of Sanders' death coincided with an active public safety alert. The National Weather Service had issued an Extreme Heat Warning for parts of Los Angeles County, running from October 2 through October 8, with high temperatures expected. On October 1, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health urged residents to take precautions amid high temperatures affecting parts of the county.
California's Outdoor-Workplace Heat Rules
California Code of Regulations Title 8, Section 3395 applies to outdoor places of employment, according to the California Department of Industrial Relations.
Anderson Memorial Park was where the festival was held.
County's History With Heat Deaths Draws Scrutiny
Sanders' death also lands amid broader questions about how heat fatalities get counted in Los Angeles County. A 2025 investigation by the Los Angeles Times found that official county records attributed 118 deaths to heat between 2015 and 2024, though public health experts consider that figure a substantial undercount tied to how coroners classify such deaths. Sanders' cause of death remains under investigation.
The City of Carson has said it is investigating the incident, conducting outreach to Sanders' family, and coordinating grief and counseling resources for those affected. City officials say they are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and cooperating with appropriate authorities, but have indicated they will release no further information at this time, as reported by KTLA.
