Cousin Of A Black Lives Matter Co-founder Keenan Anderson Dies Of Enlarged Heart And Cocaine Use

According to the LA County Medical Examiner’s Office, Keenan Anderson, 31, who was the cousin of a Black Lives Matter co-founder, died earlier this year in Los Angeles after being repeatedly tased by police. The cause of death was determined to be an enlarged heart and cocaine use.

Police officials have released a 19-minute video of an interaction that resulted in the death of Keenan. According to the officials, Keenan was tased multiple times by police officers after attempting to flee a vehicle collision on January 3rd.

A Washington, D.C. native was reportedly in southern California visiting family at the time. According to a statement released by the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner, the cause of death for 31-year-old Keenan Darnell Anderson has been determined as the effects of cardiomyopathy (enlarged heart) and cocaine use.

The statement also mentioned that the death was determined hours after restraint and conducted energy device (CED) use, but did not specify the extent to which the tasing contributed to the death. The manner of death remains undetermined.

According to LAPD Capt. Kelly Muiz, Anderson passed away following a car accident at a major junction. Muiz stated that Anderson was “running in the middle of the street and exhibiting erratic behavior” at the time of the incident.

According to reports, the individual initially complied with police demands and sat on the pavement.

According to the video, the officers apprehended him and wrestled him to the ground. As Anderson was being restrained by several police officers on the asphalt, he could be heard pleading with passersby for assistance.

He was heard saying, “They’re trying to George Floyd me…” The individual made a statement, likening their situation to that of George Floyd, the Minneapolis man who was killed by police in 2020. Floyd’s death sparked protests across the country, with many being organized by the Black Lives Matter movement.

According to footage, an officer deployed a stun gun on Anderson at least six times after issuing more than a half-dozen warnings that a Taser would be used if he did not stop resisting arrest. A tragic incident occurred as an English teacher and father of a 5-year-old son passed away in the hospital four hours later.

Anderson’s cousin is Patrisse Cullors, who co-founded Black Lives Matter. Days after Anderson’s death, his family filed a $50 million wrongful death claim against the city of Los Angeles, alleging that he died due to the stun gun shocks.

The family is being represented by Ben Crump, a prominent civil rights attorney. According to the medical examiner’s office, the autopsy was conducted on January 11th. On Thursday, it was confirmed that the findings were accurate.