York County had 18 homicides in 2004, matching the previous record high number of killings set in 1973, according to the county coroner's annual report released Tuesday.

There were 17 homicides in the county in 2003.

York County Coroner Barry Bloss said his office investigated 490 deaths last year, a substantial increase from 2003.

But, he said, the average number of homicides is still down over a 10-year average because the numbers fluctuate from year to year. The average is still about 10, he said.

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