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Meth found in system of teenager zapped by police Taser
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A Gilbert teen who was pronounced dead about 11 hours after he was shocked with a police Taser died accidentally from excited delirium associated with acute methamphetamine toxicity, according to a medical examiner’s report released Friday.
Excited delirium is a controversial condition characterized by a person’s heart shutting down because it cannot handle a stressful event.
According to a Jan. 26 report on National Public Radio, excited delirium is not recognized by professional medical associations and isn’t listed in the chief psychiatric reference book. Still, many doctors believe the condition, which is most common in people who are mentally ill or using drugs, exists and liken it to an overdose of adrenaline.
Andrew Athetis, an 18-year-old with a history of drug abuse, was yelling and “acting hysterically” on Jan. 17 and was suspected of punching and robbing a woman in the 1000 block of East Cullumber Street before police zapped him with a Taser and restrained him.
The teen felt ill shortly afterward and was taken to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where he later died. His family said he had used meth earlier in the day and had been showing abnormal behavior, the report says.
Athetis had a small amount of meth in his blood, and his urine also contained amphetamine and an antihistamine, the report says. Drew Athetis, the teen’s father, said the case is “under investigation.”
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