Forensic pathologist tells inquest Michael Ryan died of methamphetamine overdose
No significant injuries or medical conditions present
The forensic pathologist who did the autopsy on Michael Ryan says the 38-year-old died of a methamphetamine overdose.
Shaun Ladham presented his findings at the inquest into Ryan's death. Ryan died February 26, 2016, hours after police arrested him wandering in-and-out of traffic on a busy west-side thoroughfare.
Ladham said that he did not find any other injuries or medical conditions that would have killed him that day.
He also discovered evidence of cocaine in Ryan's system, although he said it's more difficult to measure because it breaks down after death.
Ladham said that the methamphetamine levels in Ryan were similar to amounts found in other fatal overdoses. But he added that meth is not "dose dependent."
"Meth can simply cause the brain to shut down," he said.
"It's not just the amount, but the effect."
The inquest began Monday.