Tyre Nichols who died on January 10, 2023, suffered from “extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating,” according to a preliminary independent autopsy commissioned by the family.
29-year-old Nichols was stopped in Memphis on January 7, 2023 for reckless driving.
Nichols was reportedly on his way home and about 80 yards from his home at the time of the stop. According to police, there was a confrontation as officers approached Nichols, and after he ran there was another confrontation. He was also tasered and pepper-sprayed.
Nichols then complained of shortness of breath and was taken to hospital, police said, where he was listed in critical condition. Officials said Nichols had “died of his injuries” on January 10. An official cause of death has not yet been revealed.
The Memphis Police Department announced on Friday that it fired the five police officers, all Black, involved in the incident, concluding the department’s internal investigation.
The officers were identified as Tadarrius Bean, Demetrius Haley, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills Jr. and Justin Smith.
Nichols’s lawyers released a statement on Tuesday that included details from a forensic pathologist.
“Preliminary findings indicate Tyre suffered extensive bleeding caused by a severe beating,” lawyers Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said.
Added that Nichols’ injuries were “consistent with what the family and attorneys witnessed on the video of his fatal encounter with police” and said they would release further information later on.
The footage is expected to be released on Friday evening local time.