York County coroner says organs of Army vet who died in custody were never 'missing'
Everett Palmer Jr., 41, of Seaford, Delaware, who had been in custody at York County Prison, died on April 9, 2018.
In response to national media coverage, York County Coroner Pam Gay released a statement on Friday defending how her office has handled the case of a man who died while in custody, stating that his remains were not missing at any point.
In the statement, Gay wrote that Forensic Pathology Associates in Lehigh County has Everett Palmer Jr.’s heart, brain and throat. That’s in line with National Association of Medical Examiners guidelines for deaths in custody for further investigation.
Gay said the York County Coroner’s Office, Forensic Pathology Associates and Palmer’s loved ones have been in regular discussion — either personally or through the family’s legal counsel at the time — since shortly after the death. Their private forensic pathologist later visualized and examined the organs.
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“There were some things that we had to clarify, and we thought had already been clarified,” Gay said in an interview.
The Washington Post, Business Insider and Fox News have recently reported about the case.
MORE ABOUT THE PALMER CASE:'He just wanted to come home:' Family wants answers after death at York County Prison
Palmer, 41, of Seaford, Delaware, died on April 9, 2018, after he became agitated and started banging his head on the cell door at York County Prison. The coroner later stated that the cause of death was “complications following an excited state, associated with methamphetamine toxicity, during physical restraint.” Probable sickle red cell disorder was listed as a contributory factor.
The manner of death was undetermined.
The Pennsylvania State Police is investigating. If new information comes in, Gay said the manner of death could change.
“We’re doing our best, and I hope some day everyone will have a better understanding,” she said. “There’s only so much we can comment on during an ongoing investigation.”
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Palmer had been in custody for about two days after turning himself in on a DUI charge from 2016.
Family members have demanded answers about what happened. They’ve held a protest outside the York County Judicial Center and have called for a grand jury investigation.
Palmer was a personal trainer who grew up in Queens, New York, and later enlisted in the U.S. Army. He served as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Family members described him as a kind, gentle person who cared about his loved ones. He left behind two sons.
Contact Dylan Segelbaum at 717-771-2102.