Nevada Inmate Pepper-Sprayed, Held Face Down Before He Died

A Nevada inmate, 39-year-old Patrick Odale, died in December 2023 after being pepper-sprayed, shackled, and restrained by prison guards. An autopsy conducted by the Clark County coroner’s office ruled his death a homicide, sparking controversy and raising questions about the conditions leading to his demise. Odale was an inmate at the Southern Desert Correctional Center, a medium-security prison near Las Vegas.

Autopsy Findings and Cause of Death

The autopsy report, finalized after a nine-month investigation, concluded that Odale died of “positional and mechanical asphyxia in the setting of law enforcement restraint.” This type of death occurs when someone is restrained face down, with pressure applied to their torso, arms, or neck, preventing proper breathing. Michael Freeman, an Oregon-based forensic pathology expert, explained that this form of asphyxia is common in cases of forceful restraint by law enforcement. In addition to asphyxiation, the coroner’s report noted the presence of low levels of methamphetamine and xylazine, an animal sedative, in Odale’s system. These substances were cited as “major contributors” to his death. However, the primary cause was determined to be the physical restraint applied by the prison guards.

Circumstances Leading to Odale’s Death

Odale’s death occurred on the night of December 28, 2023, when prison officers described him as acting “erratic and growling.” In response, guards pepper-sprayed him and placed him in a storage room containing yard tools. After several minutes, Odale reportedly began “thrashing” inside the room. Officers then pulled him to the ground, restrained him, and took him to the prison infirmary.

During this ordeal, medical staff administered Narcan—a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses—several times, but Odale’s condition continued to deteriorate. The coroner’s office reviewed video footage of the incident, but gaps in the footage raised concerns about transparency. The video showed Odale groaning as he was taken to the infirmary, face-down with his hands shackled behind his back. A gap in the footage then occurred, resuming with staff performing CPR on an unresponsive Odale, whose hands were now shackled in front of his body. Despite efforts to revive him, Odale was pronounced dead shortly afterward. The coroner’s final report stated that his death resulted from being restrained in a manner that prevented him from breathing, compounded by recent drug use.

Investigations and Unanswered Questions

The Nevada Department of Corrections has launched an ongoing investigation into Odale’s death, but few details have been released. It remains unclear how many officers were involved, whether any disciplinary actions were taken, or how Odale gained access to drugs while incarcerated. Earlier in 2023, a corrections officer at the same facility was arrested for smuggling contraband into the prison, including cellphones, vape pens, and drugs. This arrest has fueled speculation about the prison’s control over contraband and its role in Odale’s death.

Odale was serving a sentence for possessing a stolen credit card and attempting to carry a concealed weapon. His sudden death, followed by the autopsy’s findings, has highlighted potential issues within the Nevada prison system, particularly regarding the treatment of inmates and the use of force by prison guards. As investigations continue, Odale’s death raises critical questions about law enforcement restraint practices and the safety of inmates in custody.