A Los Angeles County deputy who died in April from methamphetamine use had excessive ranges of the drug in his physique when he was discovered unresponsive inside a sheriff’s station toilet after working a double shift, in response to a dying report launched late Wednesday.
On the night of April 27, the report exhibits, a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division detective referred to as the county health worker to report an “obvious pure dying” after Deputy Jonathan Stewart was discovered lifeless in a toilet stall with white powder and drug paraphernalia.
Final week, the Los Angeles County Division of Medical Examiner decided the 41-year-old’s dying was because of “results of methamphetamine” and deemed it unintended as a substitute of pure.
Now, the 13-page dying investigation launched this week by the health worker provides a fuller image of what occurred.
On April 26, Stewart began working round 9 p.m. He was final seen alive the next day simply earlier than midday, when surveillance cameras on the South L.A. sheriff’s station captured him shifting a automotive within the parking zone.
He was scheduled to complete working his 16-hour double-shift at 1 p.m., however when his spouse didn’t hear from him by 4 p.m. she referred to as the station desk, in response to the report.
Deputies searched the constructing and located Stewart unresponsive inside a locked one-person toilet. He was mendacity on the ground, in response to the report, and there was “a glass bulbous pipe and a white powdery substance inside a small plastic baggie discovered on the scene.” There have been no clear indicators of trauma, however the report stated he had blood close to his nostril and mouth.
Deputies referred to as 911, and simply earlier than 4:30 p.m., paramedics pronounced him lifeless on the scene.
Sheriff’s officers launched a press release on the time providing little details about the dying aside from to say it was surprising and the division was “deeply saddened.” The governor launched a press release saying that Stewart had died following a “medical emergency” and that flags on the state Capitol can be flown at half-mast in his honor.
Just a few days later, an investigator with the health worker’s workplace referred to as Stewart’s spouse, who stated he had not not too long ago been sick and didn’t have a historical past of drug abuse. She additionally stated he’d misplaced about 20 kilos within the final three months after he stop ingesting soda. Elsewhere the report famous that he’d sometimes consumed six Monster vitality drinks or 12 cans of soda per day and had a historical past of hypertension.
“Just lately, the decedent was very harassed and dealing double extra time,” an investigator wrote.
Toxicology testing discovered methamphetamine and amphetamine — a carefully associated chemical that may be created when the physique breaks down methamphetamine — in his bloodstream.
After reviewing the dying report, Dr. Ryan Marino, a medical toxicologist and affiliate professor of emergency drugs at Case Western Reserve College, instructed The Instances that Stewart had a “pretty excessive degree” of the drug in his blood, past what can be thought-about a “customary dose” even for leisure use.
However with out a extra detailed post-mortem, Marino stated it wasn’t clear whether or not Stewart’s dying was straight because of acute toxicity — which is colloquially generally known as an “overdose” — or whether or not the meth was extra not directly concerned, maybe triggering coronary heart points or aggravating one other underlying issue.
This week, the Sheriff’s Division stated in an emailed assertion that the investigation of the dying continues to be ongoing.
“The division is deeply saddened by Deputy Stewart’s dying and continues to grieve and supply help to his household, associates, and colleagues,” the assertion stated.
An internet obituary described him as a devoted officer and devoted household man.
“Identified for his kindness, selflessness, and supportiveness, Jonathan’s influence on his household and associates was profound,” the obituary stated. “He shall be missed deeply and remembered fondly by all who had the privilege of figuring out him.”
