36-year-old man dies at hospital after detained for fight in southeast Phoenix

A 36-year-old man became unresponsive then died after being detained early Tuesday morning when police responded to report of a fight in southeast Phoenix, authorities said.

The Phoenix Police Department identified the man who died as Bill Blancas.

Officers were called to a home in the area of 48th Street and Baseline Road for a physical fight around 4 a.m.

When police arrived at the residence, they found Blancas being restrained by a man and woman. They handcuffed him and then discovered he was unresponsive.

The Phoenix Fire Department responded and took Blancas to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives are investigating and Blancas’ cause of death will determined by the Office of the Medical Examiner.

The department will release a critical incident briefing within 14 days. The briefing is a public summary of the events, typically including body camera footage.

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