(Wells County, IN)-Detectives from the Indiana State Police in Fort Wayne conducted an investigation, at the request of the Wells County Sheriff Department, into the death of Craigville man which occurred early Sunday morning, January 8, 2017. The Wells County Coroner has released the cause and manner of that man’s death.
Preliminary investigation by Detectives Shane Neuenschwander and Matt Teusch indicated at approximately 3:52 a.m., Wells County Sheriff Deputies and medics were dispatched to a residence in the 6800 block of East Market Street. A 34 year old man identified as Jason Schmidt had reportedly been “huffing” aerosol dusting spray and was said to have been incoherent and had shallow and labored breathing. It was also warned by the caller that Schmidt probably would not be cooperative with medics and their medical care.
Two deputies arrived and at approximately 4:14 a.m., gave Schmidt commands to exit the residence and when they received no response, they went inside. The deputies purportedly observed Schmidt “huffing” with an aerosol can and when they tried to take it from him, he became physically combative. After numerous commands to stop his combative actions, one of the deputies deployed his taser at approximately 4:21 a.m., which was ineffective.
The second deputy then deployed his taser which allowed them to control Schmidt with the use of their handcuffs. The medics at the scene evaluated Schmidt and determined that he could be transported by deputies to Bluffton Regional Medical Center for medical clearance prior to incarceration. Schmidt walked to one of the police cars and upon arriving at the hospital, walked into the emergency room with the deputy. After being at the hospital for about an hour, Schmidt was pronounced dead at approximately 6:15 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m., the Wells County Sheriff Department had requested an investigation be conducted by the Indiana State Police. An autopsy was performed the next day in Fort Wayne.
With the toxicology now complete, Wells County Coroner Hilarie Gaskill has released the following relative to Schmidt’s death:
- Cause of Death: Cardiopulmonary Arrest due to Difluoroethane as a result of “huffing”
- Manner of Death: Accidental
