This report provides the 11th Annual Mortality Report of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services’ (DBHDS) Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) Mortality Review Committee (MRC or Committee). The information contained in this report is based on compilations of reviews; committee determinations, findings, recommendations; and quality improvement initiatives generated by the IDD MRC of the deaths of individuals with IDD. This report is derived from records of mortality reviews that occurred during state fiscal year (FY) 2025, as reported in the DBHDS incident reporting systems, and defined as the period of time from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

As of January 5, 2025(*1), there were 18,034 individuals enrolled on one of Virginia’s Developmental Disability Home and Community Based Services waivers(*2). DBHDS provides specialized services to thousands of individuals on Community Living, Family and Individual Supports, and Building Independence waiver in the Commonwealth.

Key Findings

• DBHDS IDD MRC reviewed 324 deaths in FY 2025, a 12 percent decrease from FY 2024 when 370 deaths were reviewed.

• The median age at time of death was 59 years old, an increase of one year from the previous FY. The mean age at death was 55.5 years old.

• The leading cause of death in FY 2025 was sudden cardiac death.

• The MRC determined both less expected deaths (256 deaths, 79 percent) than FY 2024 (77.8 percent) and unexpected (67 deaths, 21 percent vs 21.9 percent in FY 2024). One death was determined to be unknown, which is similar to FY 2024.

• The top cause of death for expected deaths was pneumonia, with the top cause for unexpected deaths of sudden cardiac death.

• Six deaths (2 percent) were determined to be potentially preventable (PP), a slight increase from four deaths in SFY 2024. The top cause of PP deaths was choking (two deaths).
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(*1) January 5th was selected as a snapshot date for the middle of the FY.
(*2) Virginia Waiver Management System. Accessed by DBHDS in October 2025.