Ariz jail inmate’s death linked to cardiac arrest
May 31, 2012, 1:25 PM | Updated: Jun 4, 2012, 10:34 pm
PHOENIX – A Maricopa County medical examiner’s report says a jail inmate
who died late last year after fighting with deputies died of complications from
cardiac arrest.
Phoenix TV station KPNX obtained the report Thursday on the Dec. 20 death of
44-year-old Ernest “Marty” Atencio.
But it doesn’t answer the question of exactly how Atencio died _ whether it was
a homicide, an accident or due to natural causes. The medical examiner’s report
concluded the manner of death was “undetermined.”
The Gulf War veteran was found unresponsive in his jail cell after being
arrested on Dec. 16 and fighting with deputies.
The medical examiner’s report cites “acute psychosis, law enforcement subdual
and … multiple medical problems” as contributing to Atencio’s death. But the
report says the manner of death couldn’t be determined.
