for immediate release
August 6, 2004
N E W S R E L E A S E
"Cocaine-associated excited delirium" was the cause of death of 44 year old Demetrius Nelson.
Nelson died on July 3, after being taken into custody by Okaloosa County Sheriff's Deputies.
An autopsy by Associate Medical Examiner Dr. Karen Kelly is now complete, with the receipt today (Friday) of laboratory analysis of blood, urine, bile, vitreous humor, and stomach contents. Results from The University of Florida Diagnostic Referral Laboratories show high levels of both cocaine (444 ng/ml) and benzoylecgonine (2324 ng/ml). Benzoylecgonine is a cocaine metabolite produced by the body, and is an indicator of cocaine usage.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are both conducting independent investigations into the incident.
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for more information contact Sgt. Rick Hord, Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420