Video shows 72-year-old’s arrest in Brentwood a week before her death
Brentwood police release videos of encounter that ended in death of woman, 72
Brentwood police released body-camera and in-car camera footage showing the interactions of two officers who took Yolanda Ramirez, 72, into custody in September. But she died a week later. The city says she died of natural causes, but her family says police used force.
BRENTWOOD, Calif. - Brentwood police on Friday released body camera footage and audio of the arrest of a 72-year-old woman a week before she died at a hospital.
The footage and audio are from the September arrest of Yolanda Ramirez.
How she died remains in dispute.
Woman did not cooperate with police
What we know:
The footage shows Ramirez attempting to leave the scene and refusing to provide her date of birth to two officers, Danielle Tjhia and Aaron Peachman. Peachman is the president of the police union.
The officers had been called to investigate what turned out to be a family dispute.
"I am about to arrest you," Peachman warns in the video.
"Stop!" Ramirez responds.
"Get up. Get in the car. Otherwise, I’m going to lift you up and put you in the car, and I don’t want to do that," Peachman says.
Officers take Ramirez to a patrol cruiser, where she again refuses to get in.
Family sues Brentwood over woman's death after run-in with police
The family of Yolanda Ramirez filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Brentwood on Thursday, saying the 72-year-old woman died as a result of being violently taken into custody by police.
"You need to get in the car now. Get up and get in the car. I’m going to start lifting you up in the arm and you need to get up," Peachman said.
The two officers then place Ramirez in the police car.
In-car camera footage shows Ramirez using her left leg to push against the door. Police have said there is no sign of impact as the opposite door is shut.
Footage shows Ramirez sitting upright in the back seat. Later, she appears to suffer a medical emergency.
Officers ask if she can get out of the car, but she does not respond.
Paramedics arrive and take her to a hospital, where she dies a week later.
The family’s attorney, Melisa Nold, said the footage shows Ramirez’s head striking the left-side door when the officer on the opposite side closes the door near her feet. Nold said that account matches what witnesses reported.
Death of woman, 72, in Brentwood police custody under investigation
Yolanda Ramirez, 72, was violently arrested by Brentwood police who were called to a family-related disturbance, according to a legal claim. Brentwood police say a relative asked officers to make a citizen's arrest and that she tried to flee the scene.
Conflicting autopsies
What they're saying:
An independent autopsy concluded Ramirez died as a result of homicide caused by blunt-force trauma and asphyxiation. However, the official Contra Costa County coroner’s report determined she died of natural causes.
The family’s federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Brentwood is pending. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office is also investigating the incident.
Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on X @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan
The Source: KTVU reporting, Brentwood police, attorney Melissa Nold