Independent Autopsy Report Finds George Floyd Died Of Asphyxia

An independent autopsy report ordered by the family of George Floyd found that his death was the result of "asphyxia due to neck and back compression that led to a lack of blood flow to the brain." The findings contradict the results of a preliminary report by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, which "revealed no physical findings that support a diagnosis of traumatic asphyxia or strangulation."

Floyd was killed while in the custody of four now-former Minneapolis police officers. Officer Derek Chauvin is facing third-degree murder charges for placing his knee on Floyd's neck for more than eight minutes. Floyd begged for help and told the officers he was in pain and could not breathe. Chauvin refused to move his knee, even after Floyd stopped moving. Paramedics eventually arrived and took Floyd away on a stretcher.

Ben Crump, the family's attorney, said that Floyd was likely dead when EMTs arrived. He explained that Floyd did not have a pulse at the scene, and never regained one on his way to the hospital.

"George died because he needed a breath, a breath of air," Crump said during a news conference. "For George Floyd, the ambulance was his hearse."

Photo: Getty Images


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