Deaths in Custody
Died in custody

Edward Bronstein

38 years old · died March 31, 2020 · CHP station in Altadena, Los Angeles County, California

Edward Bronstein, 38, of Burbank, left young children, and his family says he was terrified of needles and reluctant at first when officers asked for a blood sample. On March 31, 2020, California Highway Patrol officers held him face-down at their Altadena station while a nurse tried to draw his blood, and he said he could not breathe. Video shows him falling silent, and according to the family's lawsuit and prosecutors, CPR began more than 11 minutes later. The Los Angeles County coroner attributed his death to acute methamphetamine intoxication during restraint by law enforcement and listed the manner as undetermined, seven officers and a nurse have been charged, the police union disputes that asphyxia occurred, and the state agreed to a $24 million settlement without admitting wrongdoing.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The Los Angeles County medical examiner attributes the death to acute methamphetamine intoxication during restraint by law enforcement, while his family's wrongful-death lawsuit alleges excessive force and delayed medical care, and the police union disputes that restraint caused asphyxia.

Reported by: Los Angeles County medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's wrongful-death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Los Angeles County District Attorney (outside investigators).

Lawsuit: His family sued over his death and settled with the state of California for $24 million in 2023, with no admission of wrongdoing.

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