Myles Gray had no definitive cause of death, but likely died of cardiac arrest: pathologist
A forensic pathologist stated that no single cause of Myles Gray's death was found, but a cardiac arrest likely resulted from police actions during his restraint.
The inquiry into Myles Gray's death has revealed insights from forensic pathologist Dr. Matthew Orde, who handled the autopsy following Gray's 2015 death after an encounter with Vancouver police. Orde clarified that there was no singular cause of death identified in Gray's case; however, he pointed to cardiopulmonary arrest as a significant factor. He elaborated that the circumstances surrounding Gray's death, including signs of acute behavioral disturbance and police methods used during his restraint, were critical to understanding the situation.
Dr. Orde detailed the various elements leading to Gray’s cardiac incident, including the use of pepper spray, blunt-force injuries, and neck compression during the physical restraint. These actions, combined with the forced positioning of Gray when handcuffed, painted a complex picture of the interactions leading to his death. The multiple factors present make it difficult to attribute Gray's death to one specific action, leaving the autopsy findings open to interpretation as to the weight of each contributing element.
This information comes as part of the ongoing public hearing addressing the events surrounding Gray's tragic death. The implications of these findings are significant, questioning the protocols and methods used by law enforcement in similar encounters. Advocates for police reform are likely to scrutinize these revelations, emphasizing the need for accountability and a review of safety measures when dealing with individuals exhibiting acute behavioral disturbances.