Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide After Prison Guards' Restraint and Pepper Spray Tactic

An autopsy report has revealed that the death of Patrick Odale, an inmate at the Southern Desert Correctional Center in Nevada, was a homicide caused by prison guards' actions, including pepper spray, shackling, and restraining him face down.

A Nevada coroner's office has ruled that the death of an inmate who was pepper-sprayed, shackled, and restrained with his face to the ground was killed by prison guards.

An autopsy report released in late August after a nearly nine-month investigation revealed that 39-year-old Patrick Odale's death at the Southern Desert Correctional Center on December 28, 2023, was ruled a homicide.

Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide After Prison Guards' Restraint and Pepper Spray Tactic

According to the autopsy, Odale died of "positional and mechanical asphyxia in the setting of law enforcement restraint." This typically occurs when someone is restrained face down with their hands behind their back and pressure is placed on their torso, arms, or neck.

Forensic pathology expert Michael Freeman explained that mechanical and positional asphyxia can lead to death when the weight of the person's body and posture restrict breathing.

Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide After Prison Guards' Restraint and Pepper Spray Tactic

The autopsy also noted that Odale had low levels of methamphetamine and xylazine, an animal sedative, in his system, which the coroner's office described as a "major contributor" to his death.

When the Nevada Department of Corrections announced Odale's death in a January news release, it did not reveal the details suggesting the inmate was restrained. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Nevada Department of Corrections for comment, but the agency declined to provide a statement as the matter is still an "active investigation."

Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide After Prison Guards' Restraint and Pepper Spray Tactic

It is unclear how many officers were involved in Odale's death, if any were disciplined, or how Odale was able to gain access to drugs while in custody. In May, a corrections officer was arrested as part of the agency's "crack down on contraband" after allegedly bringing cigarettes, lighters, cellphones, vape pens, tobacco, and liquid spice into the facility.

Odale was sentenced in early 2023 to up to two years in prison for possession of a stolen credit card and attempting to carry a concealed weapon. On the night of his death, officers reported that Odale was "erratic and growling" at them.

Inmate's Death Ruled Homicide After Prison Guards' Restraint and Pepper Spray Tactic

Guards pepper-sprayed Odale and placed him in a storage room with yard tools for several minutes until he started "thrashing in the room." Officers pulled him to the ground, restrained him, and took him to the prison infirmary.

During the ordeal, medical and prison staff administered Narcan to Odale several times. The coroner's office reviewed video of the incident to determine the cause and manner of death, and the autopsy report indicates there could be a gap in the video footage.

The medical examiner said the footage shows Odale groaning as he is taken to the infirmary. Odale is also seen face-down with his hands shackled behind his back. After a gap, video coverage resumes, and staff are seen performing CPR on Odale, who was unresponsive.

When the video resumes, the inmate is face-up with hands shackled anteriorly (in front of his body). Odale was pronounced dead shortly after.

The medical examiner ruled that Odale died because he was restrained in a way that prevented him from breathing, along with the effects of recent drug use.

The Nevada Department of Corrections has not provided further details about the incident, and it remains unclear whether any disciplinary action has been taken against the involved prison guards.