RICHMOND, Va. (Scripps News Richmond) — The manner of Irvo Otieno’s death was ruled a homicide by the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, according to his family’s lawyers.
The cause of death was determined to be “positional and mechanical asphyxia with restraints.”
This undated photo provided by Ben Crump Law shows Irvo Otieno. Video from a state mental hospital shows Otieno, who was handcuffed and shackled, being pinned to the ground by deputies who are now facing second-degree murder charges in his death, according to Otieno’s relatives and their legal team, who viewed the footage Thursday, March 16, 2023. (Courtesy of Ben Crump Law via AP)
WTVR confirmed these details with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
RELATED: Video shows Irvo Otieno pinned to floor before his death
The 28-year-old Henrico man was killed at Central State Hospital, a state-run mental hospital in Dinwiddie County, last month while being admitted.
Ten people so far have been charged with second-degree murder in Otieno’s death — seven Henrico County Sheriff’s deputies and three people employed by the hospital.
WATCH: 7 VA Deputies Charged In Death of Irvo Otieno
The Office of Ben Crump Law and the Krudys Law Firm, representing Otieno’s family, said they received the information about Otieno’s cause and manner of death from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Monday.
Otieno’s mother, Caroline Ouko, said “all must know what they did to my son” in response to the findings.
This story was originally published on April 3, 2023, by WTVR in Richmond, an E.W. Scripps Company.
