Drug tests to be used determine cause of Pasadena man’s death

Ellison, 24, of Magothy Beach Road in Pasadena, died after a struggle with police, who responded to emergency calls for an assault. Police said Ellison was reportedly assaulting his girlfriend and others at a home on Center Street in Pasadena.

Preliminary autopsy results showed no outward signs of injury or trauma that could have caused Ellison’s death, police spokesman Lt. David Waltemeyer said. A cause of death will be determined after drug tests are complete.

Waltemeyer said the first officer on the scene, and the person who initially tried to subdue Ellison, was placed on routine administrative leave while the investigation continues. The other five officers who backed up the first officer and helped wrestle Ellison to the ground have all been returned to duty.

Officers are trained to ask questions and look for signals that a suspect may be suffering from a mental or physical crisis, Waltemeyer said. People with prior head injuries, mental illness or physical conditions such as diabetes can often appear to be drunk or taking drugs.

Elllison’s death was the third police-related fatality in the county in 2006, and the third instance of a suspect unexpectedly dying in police custody since 2002.

In those instances, medical investigations determined the suspects suffered heart attacks as a result of a drug-induced condition called excited delirium.

The controversial condition is described as one brought on by drug use, particularly stimulants, and many individuals who develop it also have some type of mental illness. A person suffering from excited delirium can develop a high fever and seemingly possess superhuman strength.

The person’s excitable state combined with adrenaline increases caused by confrontation with law enforcement officers often leads to cardiac arrest.

stracy@baltimoreexaminer.com