Ohio BCI investigation of Frank Tyson's death complete, Stark prosecutor to review

The state has completed its probe into the death of Canton Township resident Frank Tyson .

The investigation's findings likely won't be released for at least a few more months.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation on Friday forwarded its completed investigation to Stark County Prosecutor Kyle Stone’s office for review. Stone's office will determine whether to present the case to the grand jury to consider criminal charges against the Canton City police officers involved in Tyson’s death.

The Ohio Attorney General’s Office will not publicly release the BCI investigation's findings until a prosecutor or grand jury has decided not to indict the case or the case is indicted and has been prosecuted in court.

Stone did not immediately return messages late Friday seeking comment.

BCI investigation into Frank Tyson's death

The Stark County Sheriff’s Office on April 18 requested BCI to investigate the circumstances behind Tyson’s death.

Tyson, 53, crashed his vehicle into a utility pole on Sherrick Road SE and walked to the nearby AMVETS, where patrons called police to say he was acting erratically and wanted him removed.

Officers Beau Schoenegge and Camden Burch responded to the crash and followed Tyson to the private club. After a struggle, officers handcuffed Tyson and left him face down on the floor for nearly 8 minutes before they realized they couldn't feel a pulse.

A preliminary autopsy report ruled the manner of Tyson’s death was homicide and the cause of his death was a combination of acute intoxication by cocaine and alcohol, obesity, cardiovascular disease and cardiopulmonary arrest, meaning that his breathing and blood circulation stopped, in association with physical altercation and prone restraint.

Homicide is one of five determinations coroners have to rule on the manner of a person's death. A homicide ruling, which is defined as the killing of one person by another, does not mean a crime has been committed.

More Canton City police investigations: Here's a look at violent and fatal Canton police encounters in recent years

Schoenegge and Burch, who had been placed on paid administrative leave immediately after the incident, are now on restricted assignment.

As with all of its investigations, BCI’s findings for Tyson's death will not include a determination of fault. Nor will the investigation address any potential policy or procedural violations by officers.

Stark prosecutor still reviewing BCI case of Zachary Fornash

Stone’s office also continues to review BCI’s investigation into the death of Zachary Fornash. BCI forwarded its findings to the prosecutor in June.

Fornash, 24, was shot and killed by Canton police officer Garrett Marino in December 2023.

Marino had been responding to a report of a man who brandished a gun during an argument. He found Fornash in the 900 block of Alan Page Drive SE and instructed him to get on the ground or put his hands on his head.

Fornash did not comply and walked away, his back facing Marino. Fornash then quickly turned back around, and Marino shot him, a video released by police shows.

Following the shooting, the gun in Fornash's possession was revealed to be a pellet gun.

Marino, who had been on paid administrative leave, returned to full duty in January.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio BCI investigation of Frank Tyson's death complete, Stark prosecutor to review