Independent autopsy points to homicide as cause of death in Brentwood police custody case

"A second independent autopsy of 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez, a Brentwood resident who went unconscious in the back of a police car and died days later at a hospital, claims that her cause of death was a homicide "as a consequence of police restraint." Conducted on the request of Ramirez's family, the autopsy found she suffered from blunt force trauma to the head and torso."

""In view of the clinical history and the findings at the 2nd autopsy, the cause of death of this Hispanic female, Yolanda Bustos Ramirez, is multiple blunt force trauma and asphyxiation with complications all due to and as a consequence of police restraint," the autopsy report stated. "The manner of death is homicide.""

""They are also hoping this new evidence will result in a Coroner's Inquest to ensure full transparency, particularly since the Contra Costa Coroner's Office has a long history of concealing in-custody homicides involving local law enforcement," Nold told this news organization."

An independent autopsy performed at the Ramirez family's request concluded that 72-year-old Yolanda Bustos Ramirez died from multiple blunt force trauma and asphyxiation caused by police restraint, and ruled the manner of death homicide. Ramirez went unconscious in the back of a police car and died days later at a hospital. The autopsy reported blunt force injuries to the head and torso. Attorney Melissa Nold said the independent report was sent to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office and that the county coroner's initial autopsy has not yet been released. The family seeks criminal prosecution and a Coroner's Inquest for transparency. The Contra Costa Police Chiefs Association updated investigation procedures in January 2025.

Read at The Mercury News