Keenan Anderson's cause of death determined by LA County Coroner
The Los Angeles County Coroner's Office has released the cause and manner of death of Keenan Anderson, the man who was died on January 3 after he was tased by Los Angeles Police Department officers.
In a press release, the coroner announced that they had determined "the cause of death of 31-year-old Keenan Darnell Anderson as effects of cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and cocaine use (death determined hours after restraint and conducted energy device [CED] use)," the statement said. "The manner of death is undetermined."
Anderson, a Washington D.C. resident and high school English teacher who was visiting family in Los Angeles, was involved in a traffic collision in Venice back in January, where LAPD officers determined that he appeared to be under the influence.
Related: LAPD releases additional footage of Keenan Anderson death
As he spoke with officers, he ran from them, causing a brief foot pursuit before they caught up. It was then that they claim Anderson was being resistant leading them to use a stun gun, bodyweight, firm grips and joint locks as they handcuffed him.
Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore has since disclosed that Anderson was tased six times during the incident.
"External analysis of the discharged CED revealed probes were deployed without skin impact and that trigger activations were discharged to Mr. Anderson's back via drive-stun application," the coroner statement says.
Anderson died later that same day after he was taken to a nearby hospital.
Related: Vigil held for Keenan Anderson, man who died after being tased by LAPD officers
His death caused public outcry, as it was one of three fatal use-of-force incidents conducted by LAPD officers in a two-day span across Los Angeles County.
Relatives of Anderson have since filed a $50 million damages claim against the city of LA.
Mayor Karen Bass issued a statement on the coroner's reports, which read:
"Keenan Anderson was a father, a son, a brother, a cousin, and an educator of young people. He was loved and he is missed. My thoughts are with his friends and family as I know the release of this report will cause them and many Angelenos great pain as they still mourn this loss.
I remain committed to expanding the public safety system to include health professionals and to ensuring LAPD officers receive the best possible training to assist people in crisis.
The coroner raises questions that still must be answered and I await the result of the investigation already underway. I know that in this time of pain it sometimes feels like there is no hope, but we must turn the pain into concrete, substantive change – and we will."
