Prominent Wenatchee Attorney Charles Steinberg Dead from Heart Attack, Not COVID-19 Complications

A previous version of this story incorrectly reported Charles Steinberg died of COVID-19 complications

Prominent Wenatchee attorney Charles Steinberg is dead from a heart attack, not from COVID-19 complications as had previously been thought.

Chelan County Coroner Wayne Harris says his assistant was told at the scene that Steinberg was suffering from the virus, but an examination of medical records showed Steinberg tested negative for COVID-19 earlier this month.

Harris says his office then also conducted a test which also came back negative. "We did speak to his primary care provider, and he indicated that he did not think that he had COVID," said Harris. "He also knew his (Steinberg's) medical history, so he was comfortable signing the death certificate related to a heart attack."

Harris says the Coroner's Office will typically go to the scene of a death when the person is younger, as was the case with Steinberg. He was 55 when he passed away from a heart attack last Tuesday at his home.

A memorial letter posted on Facebook said Steinberg had dealt with severe COVID-19 symptoms for the prior two weeks.

Steinberg is a former candidate to be a Chelan County Superior Court judge.

He was known for his work in religious discrimination cases with the Northwest Religious Liberty Association, and helped to overturn a ban on large churches and private schools in rural King County. 

In addition, he represented a corporate landowner who opposed development along Riverside Drive before the Wenatchee City Council.  

Steinberg was born in Seattle and moved to Wenatchee in 1994 after attending law school in Oregon. 

His law firm's Facebook page lists legal services in Personal Injury, Real Estate, Wills and Trusts, Bankruptcy, Construction, Corporations and Landlord/Tenant

Steinberg's death was originally confirmed to KPQ News by current Chelan-Douglas Bar Association President Erin McCool.