Family files wrongful death claim against city in December death of Donald Hill

The City of Lemoore has 45 days to accept or deny the family’s claim.

According to the Kings County Sheriff’s Office, which has been investigating the incident, in a press release, said that on Dec. 31, at about 8:50 p.m., thirty-year-old Donald Joseph Hill was pronounced dead at the Adventist Medical Center in Hanford.

Earlier that day, law enforcement officials say Hill began having bizarre interactions with family and friends, American Ambulance personnel and the Lemoore Police Department.

Many witnesses described Hill's actions as possibly being under the influence of drugs or of psychotic outbursts. During these events, Hill would appear to regain some form of composure and request no interaction with mental health or other medical services.

During the evening hours on Dec. 31, Hill’s family members called the Lemoore Police Department reporting that Hill’s behavior had become even more bizarre, and that family members had to restrain him. Police arrived and handcuffed Hill, placing a spit hood over his head to prevent him from further spitting incidents.

Hill was placed onto the floor on his side and during this point he became unresponsive. American Ambulance personnel responded and performed life saving measures, while rushing him to the Adventist Medical Center.

Even with the first-aid efforts of first responders and hospital staff, the Sheriff’s Department said that Hill could not be revived.

Hill was transported to the Kings County Morgue for further investigation, where Forensic Pathologist Dr. Gary Walter M.D. performed an autopsy. In addition to the autopsy, extensive toxicology tests were performed using different laboratories to confirm any results found during these tests.

The initial autopsy showed that Hill had not received visible injuries, which could have led to his death. Donald did have minor scrapes and bruising, but no injuries which would be considered life threatening. Donald's internal physical health showed no obvious signs of health issues which would have resulted in his death. The extensive toxicology test revealed no drugs or other interactions involved in Donald's death.

Walter's final autopsy report determined that Hill died of cardiac arrhythmia- etiology unknown, with the manner of death listed as undetermined. Cardiac arrhythmia is a group of conditions in which the heartbeat is irregular – too fast, or too slow. Etiology is a medical term describing the cause or reason for the illness.

The Kings County Sheriff's Office is the lead investigative agency as part of the county wide Critical Incident Team.  Now that the autopsy report is finalized, Kings County detectives will conclude the investigation soon and submit the entire case to the district attorney for review.