California Woman Dies of Heatstroke at Concert Weeks After Rebuilding Home Lost to Wildfires

A California woman died from heatstroke on October 3 after collapsing at a concert in Carson, California. Shari Sanders had recently moved back into a new home after her residence of 35 years was destroyed by the Eaton Canyon fire in January 2025.

Sanders collapsed in the VIP tent at the Carson Jazz festival during a significant heatwave. An on-site doctor attempted CPR for approximately 20 minutes before paramedics arrived, but Sanders never regained consciousness. Witnesses reported that Sanders appeared lightheaded and initially wanted to save seats for her family at the event.

Temperatures in California reached 100°F on the day of her death, although specific temperatures at Anderson Park, the concert venue, were not immediately reported.

Musician Sheila E., who performed at the festival, shared her condolences and expressed concerns about the event's organization. She noted that concertgoers stood for hours waiting to enter the park and that there was only one water station available. "Carson City, you need to do better," she stated.

Sanders's son, Henry Ephriam, established a GoFundMe page to support his family, writing, "Her house was only recently finished, and she did not get to enjoy it for a month. Our family is devastated by this loss and is still trying to process what has happened."

The Eaton Canyon fire had previously swept through Altadena and the Palisades in Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes, including Sanders's longtime residence. She had spent over a year rebuilding her life and home before the second tragedy occurred.