Death of Tanisha Anderson, women with mental illness who died in police custody, ruled a homicide

theGRIO REPORT - A coroner says that the death of a woman in Cleveland police custody came after she was physically restrained in a prone position and that her heart condition and bipolar disorder also were factors. A report released Friday by the Cuyahoga County medical examiner ruled Tanisha Anderson's death a homicide...

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CLEVELAND (AP) — A coroner says that the death of a woman in Cleveland police custody came after she was physically restrained in a prone position and that her heart condition and bipolar disorder also were factors.

A report released Friday by the Cuyahoga County medical examiner ruled Tanisha Anderson’s death a homicide.

Anderson died Nov. 12 after losing consciousness in the custody of officers while having a mental-health episode. Relatives say the 37-year-old was schizophrenic and claim an officer used excessive force.

Her family said at a news conference nearly two weeks ago that they wanted more answers about what happened and that Cleveland officers need better training on dealing with mentally ill people.

Cleveland police say they are looking into the death. The two officers involved are on restricted duty.

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