Dad-of-two, 26, dies from seizure in garden after being handcuffed by police
A young father suffered a fatal seizure after police handcuffed him in a back garden.
Liam Brackley, 26, from St Helens, Merseyside, described as the "life and soul of a room", leaves behind his six-year-old twin daughters. Merseyside Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct after Liam died. The incident happened one day prior, on September 30.
Liam is thought to have been detained after reports of trespassing. A video taken at the scene reportedly shows Liam having a seizure while in handcuffs and surrounded by four police officers. Liam appeared to be put into the recovery position in the video by officers, while still in handcuffs.
The 26-year-old was in handcuffs for about two minutes and 50 seconds before they were removed. Two more officers can be seen arriving at the scene about three minutes into the video.
He leaves behind twin six-year-old daughters (Handout/Liverpool Echo)An officer can be heard saying "wake up" as others move garden furniture out of the way, reports the Liverpool Echo. Officers carry out CPR about four and a half minutes after the seizures begin. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was also attempted by the officers toward the end of the video.
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Liam was taken to Whiston Hospital after suffering a seizure and a cardiac arrest. His family claimed they were not initially told he had been detained when they were informed of his death.
Liam's family believed more could have been done by police at the scene and are calling for the force to be better trained in dealing with similar situations.
Liam suffered a seizure and a cardiac arrest (Handout/Liverpool Echo)The family said: "Liam was the most caring, protective brother. His family meant everything to him. He was always the life and soul of the room and would cheer everyone up wherever he was. You could never be sad around Liam.
"He was such a cheeky chap and the ladies loved him. He loved playing rugby, UFC, Liverpool Football Club, playing on the Xbox and St Helen’s rugby team. His mates on the Xbox said he was unbeatable. He loved his twin girls so much and was a brilliant uncle to his nieces and nephews. He’d often play with them and give them money.
"Losing him has absolutely broken us. We are heartbroken, traumatised and my sister and I have lost our baby brother. We now refer to him as our missing piece. My mum is no longer the same mum we knew. Our dad is torn. He lived with them and the house is quiet now."
Merseyside Police initially referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, which reviewed the matter and referred it back to Merseyside Police's Professional Standards Department (PSD).
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "The death of Liam Brackley completely devastated his family and our thoughts and sympathies remain with them. A referral was sent to the IOPC by Merseyside Police who reviewed the matter and referred it back to our Professional Standards Department (PSD).
"The family of Liam has asked the IOPC to review the decision. An interim report has been submitted to the Coroner and we are awaiting toxicology results before a final report is completed."
An IOPC spokesperson said: "We received a referral in October from Merseyside Police following the death of a man who died after being restrained by officers. A complaint about the incident was also referred later the same month.
"Following recent correspondence from the complainant, our original decision that the matter should be investigated by the force is currently under review. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic incident."
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