GOLDEN, Colo. — The Golden Police Department said Monday a man who died in the department’s custody was because of suicide and there was no misconduct or wrongdoing by any law enforcement agents.
On July 28, police were asked to assist U.S. marshalls to apprehend 51-year-old Robert Lindsay, who had been on the run for several years. Authorities said he allegedly violated parole in Maryland and was discovered working in Golden.
Lindsay attempted to evade law enforcement but he was caught and handcuffed by police officers.
He was put in the back of a patrol car, then began to sweat profusely and became unresponsive, officials said. Lindsey was taken to a hospital and later died.
An investigation found Lindsay committed suicide by poisoning himself. According to family members, Lindsay mentioned he usually carried a sodium cyanide capsule with him because he did not want to go back to jail.
A forensic pathologist report determined that sometime between when he was arrested and when he collapsed inside the patrol vehicle, Lindsay swallowed the cyanide pill.
Officials said Lindsey had a long criminal history, including a conviction as a sexually violent predator.