Brian Sicknick: US Capitol riot police officer died of natural causes, medical examiner rules

AP

A US Capitol Police Officer who was injured during the insurrection suffered a stroke and died from natural causes, the DC medical examiner’s office has ruled.

Brian Sicknick was among five people who died after the riot. Two men have been charged with assaulting him in the melee on January 6.

Investigators initially believed he had been hit on the head with a fire extinguisher, based on statements collected early in the investigation, according to two sources.

And they later thought he might have ingested a chemical substance - possibly bear spray - that could have contributed to his death.

But the ruling means the medical examiner found a medical condition alone caused his death - it was not brought on by an injury.

The determination is likely to significantly inhibit the ability of federal prosecutors to bring homicide charges in connection with his death.

Lawyers for the men charged with assault had no comment.

Mr Sicknick died after defending the Capitol against the mob that stormed the building as Congress was voting to certify Joe Biden’s electoral win over Donald Trump.

It came after Mr Trump urged supporters on the National Mall to “fight like hell” to overturn his defeat.

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