Coroner: Colorado Springs man’s death in police custody ruled homicide

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The investigation into any criminal charges is still pending, but the El Paso County Coroner's Office has ruled that Chad Burnett's death in police custody on May 24 was a homicide.

Burnett, 49, died after struggling with Colorado Springs police officers who were attempting to detain him. Police were called to his home after neighbors reported that he was carrying a knife and threatening people.

Officers tried to talk to Burnett calmly, telling him to drop the knife and let them inside.

At a certain point after officers arrived, Burnett called 911 and used a fake name, claiming that he owned The Broadmoor and had a private jet. Video provided by CSPD then cuts back to officers speaking with Burnett outside, and he appears to be holding papers.

Burnett then claims he's sponsored by the San Diego Police Department and lifts the papers that he's holding before immediately turning and running inside the house. The officers chase him inside and wrestle him to the ground in the living room while deploying a stun gun.

CSPD released body camera footage of the incident earlier this month. Read our summary here.

An autopsy report by the El Paso County Coroner's Office says that Burnett's sudden death was "associated with physical altercation, Taser deployment, cardiac hypertrophy with myocardial fibrosis, and bipolar disorder featuring acute psychotic episode."

The death is still being investigated by the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office. No criminal charges have been filed against the officers.