Jose Manuel Baez

How they died

No

Jose Baez was sitting in the back of deputy Justin Debode's patrol car at around 10 p.m. while being questioned about an alleged domestic assault. Police said Baez was cooperating and wasn't under arrest. A six-minute video police released begins when Debode sees Baez in an apparent seizure. Baez shakes, falls on his side and lies prone for about five minutes before backup and an ambulance arrives. Debode is then seen helping Baez out of the car. The video shows Baez screaming incoherently at Debode and apparently resisting, though police didn't believe his actions were aggressive since he was disoriented. Baez died later at a hospital. Police said Baez didn't die as a result of any actions taken by deputies. Baez's mother said she thought something wasn't right when she saw her son's body and possessions. "It was full of blood," she said. Kent County Medical Examiner Dr. Stephen Cohle said Baez died of acute cocaine intoxication. Police said they were unsure how Baez ingested the cocaine, but believed it was moments before he was questioned.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Jose Manuel Baez, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources