Investigation Pending Into Death Of Park Health & Rehab Patient
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. (WCCO) -- Authorities said they're looking for an outside agency to launch an investigation into the death last month of a Park Health and Rehab patient.
The city of St. Louis Park said police responded to a report of a Park Health and Rehab patient behaving erratically while in possession of a knife and scissors on July 14.
The patient, Zheng Diao, 76, didn't speak English, so officers used gestures to persuade Diao to put down the scissors and knife, the city said. When Diao moved the knife into contact with his throat, officers deployed a Taser to prevent Diao from inflicting serious harm onto himself, the city said.
He was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center to be treated and on Aug. 5, the St. Louis Park Police Department was advised by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner that Diao had died on July 29, 2013.
The examiner said Diao's was partially from blunt force injuries due to a fall while incapacitated by a conductive energy device.
"This is an unfortunate situation and on behalf of the staff at Park Health and Rehabilitation Center, we extend our condolences to the family and friends of Zheng Diao," said Kristie Johnsrud, Administrator of Park Health and Rehabilitation Center in a statement. "Our staff responded quickly and appropriately at the time of the incident by immediately contacting the local authorities for assistance. We also reported the incident to the Minnesota Department of Health, as required by law."
