Autopsy Shows Tyre Nichols Died From Blunt Force Trauma
An official autopsy revealed the death of Tyre Nichols, who was fatally beaten by five Memphis police officers, was caused by blunt force injuries to his head, CBS News reports. The Shelby County Medical Examiner also ruled that the tragic death was a homicide.
Per the report, the autopsy showed that Nichols had damage to his kidneys, suffered from blood clots all over his body, and he suffered liver failure after the encounter. When he was transported to a local hospital, he was placed on a ventilator. At the time of his passing, he was classified as brain-dead.
Although claims have been made that Nichols was intoxicated while driving, Nichols’ blood alcohol was .049 percent which is well below the legal limit for driving according to Tennessee law.
Attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci, the legal team representing the Nichols family, issued a statement after the results of the autopsy became public saying the report was “highly consistent with our own reporting back in January of this year," when an independent autopsy from January was ordered.
"We know now what we knew then. Tyre Nichols died from blunt force trauma and the manner of death was a homicide," the statement read. "The official autopsy report further propels our commitment to seeking justice for this senseless tragedy."
Crump told BET.com that a $100 million lawsuit has been filed against the city of Memphis and its police department and that they will be anticipating the next court date of the officers involved in late May.
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On January 7, Nichols was pulled over by a group of officers for reckless driving. Following a confrontation, Nichols fled the scene and the police pursued him. After apprehending Nichols, the officers brutally beat him. He was unarmed. Three days later, Nichols died in the hospital.
The former Memphis officers who assaulted Nichols, Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr., and Justin Smith, who are all Black, have been charged with second-degree murder, aggravated assault, aggravated kidnapping, official misconduct and official oppression. They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Preston Hemphill, an ex-officer who was at the scene during the traffic stop but was not present when Nichols was assaulted, will not face criminal charges.
