WILLMAR, Minn. — An autopsy report shows the man who was Tasered by law enforcement at his Willmar apartment in January died from trauma to the head he suffered as he fell.
The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office released its findings regarding 75-year-old Michael Yanacheak's death, reporting he died from blunt force injuries to the head. The M.E. wrote Yanacheak suffered those injuries as a result of falling after being Tasered. At the time of the incident, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) ruled the manner and cause of his death as undetermined.
The incident happened on Jan. 29 as Kandiyohi County Sheriff's deputies responded to Yanacheak's apartment for an attempted eviction. According to the BCA, two deputies and two Willmar police officers went to Yanacheak's house to perform the court-ordered eviction, but Yanacheak refused to open the door.
After about an hour, the BCA said the apartment manager was able to pry open the door, allowing officers to get inside. In a statement issued by the BCA after the incident, officials claimed officers found Yanacheak in his bedroom before he allegedly picked up a kitchen knife and began walking toward them.
Authorities said that's when law enforcement started to retreat, but not before deputy Riley Kampsen utilized his Taser.
According to the BCA, Yanacheak was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Police said the BCA continues to investigate and will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Kandiyohi County Attorney’s Office for review.
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