Cause of Death of Howard Hyde Released

Nova Scotia's chief medical examiner met with Howard Hyde's family today, Sept. 17, to share the cause of Mr. Hyde's death.

Mr. Hyde, a Dartmouth man with a history of paranoid schizophrenia, died Nov. 22, 2007.

Chief medical examiner Dr. Matthew Bowes has concluded that the cause of death is excited delirium due to paranoid schizophrenia. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, obesity and restraint during a struggle were all contributing factors. Dr. Bowes has ruled the death accidental.

Excited delirium is a disorder characterized by some or all of the following: extreme agitation, violent and bizarre behavior, insensitivity to pain, elevated body temperature, and superhuman strength.

An examination of the evidence does not suggest that Mr. Hyde died directly of asphyxiation due to restraint, nor did Dr. Bowes uncover evidence that the conducted energy device, commonly known as a taser, used on Mr. Hyde the day before by Halifax Regional Police caused his death.

"At my request, the case file was independently reviewed and summarized by Dr. Marnie Wood, a forensic pathologist who was not involved in the initial investigation," said Dr. Bowes.

This completes Dr. Bowes' investigation of this case.