Honolulu police: Woman became unresponsive while in custody

HONOLULU — The Honolulu Police Department has launched an internal investigation after a woman became unresponsive while in police custody.

Honolulu police say officers restrained the woman after she assaulted a friend and damaged property in a Wahiawa apartment Tuesday.

Police say officers had called an ambulance because the woman was acting erratically. She became unresponsive when officers escorted her out of the apartment.

She died at a hospital Wednesday.

KHON-TV reports family identified the woman as 49-year-old Sherianne Nixon.

Her family says they want answers and will be hiring an attorney. They say they believe that police used excessive force on her.

When asked if physical force was used on Nixon, a police spokeswoman said it is part of the investigation.

———

Information from: Honolulu Star-Advertiser, http://www.staradvertiser.com