Death of man in South Whitehall police custody ruled accidental
SOUTH WHITEHALL TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A man who died in police custody after a confrontation inside a Weis Market in May had methamphetamine in his system and suffered from significant heart disease, authorities announced.
Timothy Vanbilliard, 45, of Emmaus, lost consciousness after being handcuffed by South Whitehall Township police officers on May 11. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio determined Vanbilliard died from acute methamphetamine toxicity and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the context of law enforcement subdual and restraint. The manner of death was ruled an accident.
According to Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan, officers were called to the Weis Market at 1500 N. Cedar Crest Blvd. after Vanbilliard began acting erratically. Witnesses and officers reported that he appeared paranoid and agitated, claiming that responding police were not “real officers” and were sent to kill him.
Over several minutes, officers attempted to calm Vanbilliard, but his behavior escalated. His speech became disjointed and untethered to reality, authorities said. He began destroying items in the store and threw a wine bottle at officers.
Police used a taser in an effort to subdue him. Despite the shock, Vanbilliard continued to physically resist. Officers eventually handcuffed him, after which he became unresponsive.
Emergency medical care was provided at the scene, and Vanbilliard was taken to the hospital, where he was later declared dead.
Holihan said an investigation by the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, as well as a review of body camera footage, found that the use of force was justified. He emphasized that the level of force used by police was not considered deadly force and was necessary to protect the public, the officers, and Vanbilliard himself.
“Toxicology testing showed a significant level of illicit controlled substances in Vanbilliard’s system at the time of his death,” Holihan said. “He also suffered from substantial ongoing health issues that contributed to his death.”
Holihan concluded that Vanbilliard’s death was not caused by the taser or the physical restraint used by police.
“The officers involved acted appropriately in their efforts to reason with Vanbilliard and deescalate the situation,” Holihan said in a statement. “The use of less-than-lethal force was made necessary by the actions of Vanbilliard.”
No charges will be filed, and the officers’ names will not be released, Holihan said, citing the absence of any misconduct.
The investigation is now closed.
