The Coroner’s Office Says the Death of an Ohio Man Who Died While in Police Custody Was a Murder

CANTON, Ohio — This year, an Ohio man died while in police custody. His death was ruled a murder.

Frank Tyson, 53, from East Canton, died April 18 after being handcuffed and left face down on the floor of a Canton social club while telling police he couldn’t breathe. The Stark County Coroner’s Office released its report on his death on Monday.

The original autopsy report also said that the death was partly caused by a heart condition and being high on cocaine and alcohol. They also made it clear that their conclusion does not mean a crime was committed.

Tyson resisted being handcuffed and said over and over, “They’re trying to kill me” and “Call the sheriff,” as he was being taken to the ground. Police shared a video of the incident from Tyson’s body camera.

Tyson, who was black, was arrested soon after a car accident that cut a utility pole in half. A passing driver led police to the bar, and when they got there, a woman opened the door and said, “Please get him out of here right now.”

Tyson was held by police, who put one knee on his back, and he told them right away that he couldn’t breathe. As Tyson lay face down on the carpet with his legs crossed and his hands on his hips, police told him he was okay and to stop fighting. Before they realized Tyson was having a medical emergency, police were laughing with people nearby and looking through his wallet.

In the fifth minute after Tyson said “I can’t breathe” on tape, one officer asked another if Tyson had calmed down. “He might be out,” the other person said.

The two white police officers from Canton who were involved are still on paid administrative leave.

Tyson got out of state jail on April 6 after 24 years for kidnapping and theft. The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction said he was almost immediately labeled a post-release control supervision violator for failing to report to a parole officer.

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