An Indiana man died two days after being restrained by police while suffering a seizure, leading to outrage from his family after the coroner ruled his death as natural.
On September 8, Rhyker Earl, 26, experienced a seizure at his DeMotte, Indiana, home. His grandmother called 911, asking for emergency services. Jasper County Sheriff's deputies and EMTs responded to the call.
Earl, reportedly disoriented and agitated due to the seizure, collided with an officer, causing deputies to restrain and handcuff him on the floor. Earl was injected with sedatives and later became unresponsive.
On September 10, Earl died after being hospitalized in critical condition.
The Lake County Coroner's Office released its findings November 13, ruling Earl's death as natural due to heart disease, an enlarged heart, and cardiac arrest, with no evidence of trauma, CBS News reported.
Body camera footage from the incident shows deputies pinning Earl face-down as he cried out for help, claiming he couldn't breathe. While the sheriff's office defended its actions as consistent with training and aimed at ensuring Earl's safety, the family alleges excessive force was used.
"He was still face down in a pillow, handcuffed, officers on top of him, administering sedatives for a lengthy period of time while I was there, begging, pleading, crying: 'I can't breathe! Help me!'" Miracle Gawlinski, Earl's aunt, said.
The incident has sparked public interest, with many criticizing the sheriff's office. Additionally, Earl's family retained attorney Ben Crump, who called for systemic changes in handling medical emergencies involving law enforcement.
"He was having a medical crisis. They did what most people in America would do. They called 911. They needed a helping hand. They didn't need a death sentence," Crump said.
The Jasper County Prosecutor's Office and Indiana State Police have launched internal investigations into Earl's death and the deputies' conduct.
"He went through torture, and he just needed some help for a seizure. I don't understand, I'll never understand, but we need change," Sharon Krause-Earl, Earl's grandmother, said.
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