Pathologist rules Forestville man who struggled with Rohnert Park officers died of heart attack.
An independent, contracted pathologist for the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office has ruled that Branch Wroth died as a result of cardiopulmonary arrest (heart attack) immediately after struggling with officers from the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. A toxicology test determined Mr. Wroth was positive for marijuana and he had elevated levels of methamphetamine in his system when Rohnert Park Officers were called to the Budget Inn in Rohnert Park on May 12, 2017.
On that day, a security guard at the motel called the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety asking for help, reporting that a man was acting paranoid and strange. When the two Rohnert Park Officers, previously identified as David Sittig-Wattson and Sean Huot, showed up they contacted the 41-year-old Forestville man, Branch Wroth. Wroth was in a motel room reportedly acting strange and appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Wroth told the Rohnert Park Officers he had been poisoned with chemicals, but he was unable to articulate how he was poisoned or who had poisoned him. Rohnert Park Officers determined that he had a warrant for his arrest.
Based on his warrant, the Rohnert Park Officers attempted to talk him into handcuffs using a calm tone to de-escalate the situation. As the officers attempted to handcuff Wroth, he pulled away and attempted to leave the motel room through the motel room window. The two Rohnert Park Officers prevented him from escaping by physically restraining him. A physical confrontation ensued and one of the officers activated a Taser six times in an attempt to gain Wroth’s compliance. During the course of the confrontation, officers were ultimately able to get Wroth into handcuffs. Shortly after Wroth was placed into handcuffs, he became unresponsive.
Rohnert Park Officers immediately began CPR and asked Fire and Medical personnel to assist with lifesaving efforts. Attempts at resuscitation were unsuccessful and Wroth died at the scene. The incident was captured on video from the officers’ body worn cameras.
At the request of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Bureau conducted an independent investigation into the incident in accordance with the Sonoma County Fatal Incident Protocol.
In addition, an independent death investigation was conducted by the Sonoma County Sheriff- Coroner’s Office to determine the cause and manner of death. In this case, the contracted pathologist determined the cause of death was “Cardiopulmonary arrest (heart attack) immediately after a struggle with law enforcement, while under the influence of methamphetamine”. Based on all the information presented to the Sonoma County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, the Coroner’s Investigation Unit has mannered the death as homicide. The term “homicide,” as used by the Coroner, is a neutral term that only means Wroth died at the hands of another. It does not imply that anyone is criminally liable for his death. The determination of any possible criminal charges lies within the legal process.
The investigations completed by the Sheriff’s Office Investigation’s Bureau and Coroner’s Office have been turned over to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office to review for possible criminal liability, pursuant to the Sonoma County Chiefs Association Fatal Incident Protocol.
Address/Location
Sonoma County Sheriff's Office
2796 Ventura Ave
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 707-565-2650