The Whatcom County Medical Examiner says the man who died in police custody last week had cardiac complications.
Doctor Gary Goldfogel tells the Bellingham Herald that Robert Gagnon’s death is considered accidental after he died from cardiac complications caused by acute meth use.
In Bellingham Police cam footage, Gagnon appears confused and paranoid, repeatedly asking officers if they are actually police and insisting he’s innocent.
During the ten minute incident from when police first respond to when Gagnon loses consciousness, police try to calm him down using de-escalation techniques.
Goldfogel tells the Herald Gagnon’s death did not stem from his encounter with police since he was not injured and footage shows they did not use excessive force or weight to hold him down.