BRENTWOOD – While the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office continues an independent investigation into the arrest of 72-year-old Yolanda Ramirez, who reportedly went unconscious in the back of a police car and died days later at a hospital, her family is pushing for criminal charges to be filed against those who may have contributed to her death.
Ted Asregadoo, a public information officer for the District Attorney’s Office, confirmed Thursday that an independent investigation is underway to determine if any criminal wrongdoing involving a member of the Brentwood Police Department occurred.
The District Attorney’s Office is committed to a “thorough, impartial and transparent determination of the facts and the application of the legal principles governing in-custody deaths,” Asregadoo told this news organization.
Ramirez, who worked with Contra Costa Health Services before retiring, was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor for allegedly yelling outside a family member’s home on Sept. 26. She reportedly experienced a medical emergency and went unconscious while in the back of a patrol car.
Along with a call for potential criminal charges, Ramirez’s family is also looking to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city and the officers involved, with claims of wrongful death, failure to provide medical care, elderly abuse, and assault and battery.
Melissa Nold, a Vallejo-based lawyer representing the family, said she filed a government tort claim on Nov. 3, but has yet to receive a response from the city. She said the city has until Dec. 14 to respond.
“There will definitely be a lawsuit filed in the coming weeks, possibly before Christmas,” Nold told this news organization.
The family has demanded that the Brentwood Police Department release body-camera footage of the incident. According to the tort claim, Ramirez suffered a brain bleed “due to the abuse by Brentwood Police Officers” and required emergency surgery.
She remained on life support until her death on Oct. 3.
In a letter dated Dec. 9 that was sent to Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton, Nold said Ramirez deserved to be protected, and “not killed and her unlawful death hidden, without a coroner’s inquest.”
“This is egregious, shocking, and unacceptable,” Nold said in the letter. “The Ramirez family strongly urges you to file criminal charges for the death of Mrs. Ramirez and immediately reassign the case to an investigator who will immediately interview the multiple eyewitnesses who saw Mrs. Ramirez abused in broad daylight.”
Nold noted that Ramirez had injuries “suggesting a violent arrest,” including bruising on her face and cuts on her wrist, “consistent with handcuffs that were not properly locked.”
The family was also unable to obtain any “substantive information” about the incident, despite reaching out to the police department and a DA investigator assigned to the case. As a result, Nold said a private investigator was hired to find and interview eyewitnesses.
According to the letter, Ramirez’s body was also examined by a private medical examiner who “discovered blunt force injuries to her face and head, in addition to a fracture on the base of her skull, consistent with witness reports.”
Asregadoo said investigators from the District Attorney’s Office have contacted Ramirez’s family and Nold to obtain information to help with investigations.
“Until recently, those efforts were declined. This week, however, counsel for the family requested a meeting, and scheduling is currently underway,” said Asregadoo. “The District Attorney’s Office remains prepared to receive and evaluate any information the family wishes to share and stands ready to engage when they are prepared to participate in the investigative process.”
Brentwood Interim Police Chief Walter O’Grodnick said the department could not comment on the incident due to pending litigation.
“The matter is currently under review, and once all applicable investigations have concluded, the city will be in a position to release further information,” said O’Grodnick.
Family and friends of Ramirez have been demanding accountability and transparency from the city and police. They recently urged the city to release camera footage at a Brentwood City Council meeting on Dec. 9.
Brentwood Mayor Susannah Meyer said there are processes in place that must be followed, and the council is committed to seeing those through.
“We want you to know that we are listening and you are being heard, and we realize that you are looking for more information and action,” said Meyer.
Councilmember Jovita Mendoza asked whether any councilmembers had seen the body camera footage, and City Attorney Katy Wisinski confirmed that none of them had viewed it.
Nold hoped for accountability and changes to policies and training at the Brentwood Police Department to rebuild community trust.
“A police department that’s not in control is like having a dog with rabies and having an awful leash. The only thing it’s going to do is hurt people, and it makes the city look bad,” said Nold. “They’re going to have to make some real conscious decisions about how they handle something like this because it shouldn’t be them worried about having to pay money, (they should be) worried about making sure that nobody else’s grandmother gets killed by the police.”