Death toll from Joplin tornado reduced to 161

JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) - November 11, 2011 (WPVI) -- Officials say the death toll from Joplin's May 22 tornado has fallen to 161, with the discovery that an Oklahoma man was included by mistake.

The city of Joplin said Friday the Jasper County coroner has determined that 56-year-old Kenneth James Henson did not die of tornado-related causes. Coroner Rob Chappel (CHAP'-uhl) told The Joplin Globe that Henson, initially listed as a Joplin resident, was from the northeastern Oklahoma city of Miami and died there May 28 of natural causes.

Chappel said the mistake was discovered during a review of names for a six-month memorial service being held Nov. 22.

Chappel was the sole designated official in charge of compiling the victims list following the tornado. He did not know how Henson's name had been included.

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