Narcotics Suspect Dies in Police Custody

Los Angeles: A woman who was arrested for being under the influence of narcotics died a few days later at a hospital.

On August 3, 2007, at 4:15 PM, Central Area patrol officers Leroi O’Brien and Eduardo Bermudez, responded to a directed call for service regarding a disorderly woman at 201 East 8th Street.

As the officers arrived at the location, they saw a nude woman, later identified as Kathy Michelle Tayeri, 36, near the intersection of Los Angeles Street and 8th Street. The woman entered a clothing store at 808 South Los Angeles Street.  The officers followed her in an attempt to detain her.  A struggle ensued between aggressive Tayeri and Officers O’Brien and Bermudez.  With the assistance from additional officers Tayeri was subdued. 

The officers believed Tayeri was possibly suffering from mental health issues and requested paramedics.  Shortly after the arrival of paramedics, Tayeri went into cardiac arrest.  The paramedics revived her and took her to California Hospital. 

On August 5, 2024 Tayeri was pronounced dead. 

Force Investigation Division personnel initially responded on August 3, to conduct the In-Custody Death investigation.  When Tayeri was revived, Force Investigation Division personnel documented the incident and released the involved officers.  On August 8, a delayed notification of Tayeri’s death was received from the hospital.

Comments

[Howard O'Kelly]

I was a close friend of Kathy's. She was a smart, beautiful and talented young womman and had much to live for. I recently learned of her death and I could not be more saddened by the news. I know that she had struggled with drug addiction and it is hard to beleive that it ended this way. I would like to find her surviving family members if anyone knows how I could contact them.