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Sonoma County In-Custody Death Investigation - Identity Released

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Donald Timothy MILLER, a 49-year-old male from Sacramento, CA.

On Saturday, August 15, 2020 at approximately 09:43 AM, the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Coroner Division was contacted and requested to assume jurisdiction, completing a death scene investigation in addition to a forensic examination of a subject, who was involved in a critical incident with Sonoma County Sheriff’s Deputies in Guerneville, CA.  Reportedly, the subject had been involved in a domestic dispute with another party prior to Deputies arrival at the scene.  The subject was reportedly non-compliant with their multiple requests to comply and became physically resistive and combative when contacted by law enforcement.  Reportedly while being taken into custody deputies utilized a less lethal electroshock conducted energy weapon commonly referred to as “Taser” attempting to gain compliance.  Shortly after being restrained with handcuffs, the subject was noted to have a witnessed medical collapse, becoming unresponsive and unconscious.  Deputies instantly provided first aid and First Responders-Paramedics were immediately dispatched to the scene, arrived and provided emergent resuscitative medical aid.  Despite these efforts the subject failed to respond and his death was pronounced. 

The decedent has been positively identified as:

Donald Timothy MILLER, a 49-year-old male from Sacramento, CA.

A forensic post mortem examination and toxicology testing has been scheduled for Wednesday, August 19, 2020.   The cause and manner of death will be pending the conclusion of the investigations being completed by the Santa Rosa Police Department, Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office - Coroner Division.  No further information will be released by the Coroner Division at this time, as this is an active and ongoing investigation.  Any further questions regarding the incident should be directed to the Santa Rosa Police Department.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office and personnel of the Coroner Division offers our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Miller.

CONTACT

Roger G. Fielding

Chief Deputy Coroner

415-473-6043

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