The findings from an independent autopsy of George Floyd have been made public. Just a week after the tragic incident, where 46-year-old George Floyd lost his life following a restraint by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, a detailed report was released by experts commissioned by Floyd’s family. The autopsy concluded that Floyd’s death resulted from asphyxia caused by compression on his neck and back, which restricted blood flow to his brain.
Expert Analysis
Dr. Michael Baden and Dr. Allecia Wilson, who led the external examination, stated that the pressure from the officers and the handcuffs hindered Floyd’s diaphragm function. They affirmed that Floyd likely succumbed to this treatment at the location of the incident. “Our findings align with what witnesses observed. There are no other medical conditions that could have contributed to his death. The misconception that one can breathe if they can talk is false,” Baden emphasized.
Attorney’s Statement
Benjamin Crump, the attorney representing Floyd’s family, reiterated that the “prolonged pressure” was the main factor in Floyd’s death. “For George Floyd, the ambulance was his hearse. There’s no doubt he would still be alive if not for the pressure on his neck from officer Derek Chauvin and the weight of two other officers on him,” Crump stated.
Timeline of Events
When asked how long it took for Floyd to die, Baden recounted, “From the moment the video began, shortly after Floyd was restrained, he remained conscious for about three minutes and fifty seconds before becoming motionless. Bystanders shouted that he was dying and needed to be allowed to breathe.” He noted that after about four or five minutes, Floyd showed no signs of life and emergency personnel found no pulse upon arrival.
Baden concluded that Floyd experienced cardiac arrest and that attempts at resuscitation were futile. “In my assessment, he was deceased after four or five minutes,” he said, with the official pronouncement of death occurring later at the hospital.
Contrasting Reports
In contrast, a preliminary report from the Minneapolis coroner indicated that Floyd’s death was influenced by the combined effect of police restraint, pre-existing health issues, and possible intoxicants in his system. This report also stated that Chauvin’s knee was on Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds, with 2 minutes and 53 seconds of that time being non-responsive.
Further Reading
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Conclusion
In summary, the independent autopsy findings confirm that George Floyd’s death was primarily due to asphyxia from police restraint, challenging earlier reports that cited underlying health issues as contributing factors.