Updated with definition of “homicide.”
CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – An autopsy conducted on a 34-year-old man who died in Montgomery County Jail has determined that he died by homicide, and that it resulted from his arrest and bites by a K9 police dog.
Darius Chappell had been arrested June 29 in front of Dutch Bros on Fort Campbell Boulevard by the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from a Clarksville Police officer whose K9 police dog attacked Chappell. Five days after his arrest, Chappell was found dead in his cell at the jail.
On Tuesday, Clarksville Now obtained a copy of Chappell’s autopsy report from the Office of the Medical Examiner in Nashville. The report by forensic pathologist Dr. Shannon M. Crook states that Chappell’s death was a homicide. The cause of death is listed as “rhabdomyolysis.”
Rhabdomyolysis is a medical condition involving the “rapid dissolution of damaged or injured skeletal muscle,” according to the National Library of Medicine. “Blunt injuries and crush injuries are common causes of trauma-induced rhabdomyolysis,” the NLM states. “When rhabdomyolysis is suspected … one of the most important treatment goals is to avoid acute kidney injury.”
The autopsy report lists the circumstances of Chappell’s death as “Injured during pursuit and subdual by other(s).”
Arrest struggle on Fort Campbell Boulevard
Chappell’s arrest took place at 11:30 a.m. June 29 on Fort Campbell Boulevard, when Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies saw a parked vehicle registered to the suspect. Chappell, 34, was wanted on drug and parole violations out of Hardin County, Tennessee, according to records obtained by Clarksville Now.
Video of the arrest – taken by a bystander and shared on social media – shows Chappell struggling with two MCSO deputies when a third deputy and then CPD Officer Steven Deering join in the struggle. With Chappell on his back, Deering goes to his vehicle and releases a K9 police dog. The dog attacks Chappell as the officers handcuff him. Deering then removes the dog, which continues snapping as it is returned to the vehicle. On Sept. 1, Deering was terminated from CPD because of his actions in the incident.
Chappell autopsy report: Homicide
The autopsy report states that Chappell was 249 pounds and 5-foot-10. As the result of his arrest, he had several abrasions and lacerations to his neck, arms, legs and back.
Jail medical records indicated Chappell had complained of left leg pain. The autopsy found injuries consistent with dog bite and scratch marks on this left hip, left groin.
“While in jail, he had progressive complaints including feeling hot and sweaty, weak and like he could not move his extremities, thirst, back stiffness, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath and chest pain,” the autopsy report stated. When Chappell was found unresponsive in his jail cell, he was administered naloxone and CPR with chest compressions. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.
| MORE: Clarksville Police officer terminated after investigation into use of K-9 during arrest
The autopsy found “markedly congested and edematous lungs, brown urine, (and) microscopic findings consistent with rhabdomyolysis in the kidney.”
The conclusion of the autopsy report states: “The decedent was involved in an altercation with law enforcement during his arrest on June 29, 2026. Subsequently, he had progressive complaints and symptoms consistent with rhabdomyolysis prior to his death. Based on the available investigative information, autopsy examination and toxicologic analysis, it is my opinion that Darius Chappell … died as the result of rhabdomyolysis following pursuit and subdual by law enforcement. The manner of death is homicide.”
What does ‘homicide’ mean in Tennessee?
The classification for “manner of death” in an autopsy report describes the circumstances under which the death occurred, according to the Office of the State Chief Medical Examiner. There are four options:
- Natural: Death is due exclusively to natural causes; no external factors caused or contributed to death in any way.
- Accident: Death is due to an unintentional injury or poisoning.
- Homicide: Death at the hands of other(s).
- Suicide: Death by one’s own hand.
That the manner of death was determined to be “homicide” does not automatically mean that criminal charges will apply. The homicide could be negligent in such a way that only civil action might apply, not criminal charges. If the investigation determines that the homicide was criminal, the homicide charge under Tennessee state law could be murder, voluntary manslaughter or criminally negligent homicide.
Investigation ongoing by TBI
At the request of 19th Judicial District Attorney General Robert Nash, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating Chappell’s death.
Nash told Clarksville Now on Tuesday that he will make a decision on prosecution after he has a conversation with the medical examiner.
When reached Tuesday by Clarksville Now, CPD stated, “The TBI investigation remains ongoing. … CPD will continue to cooperate with the investigation.”
MCSO sent this statement, “Following Mr. Chappell’s death, our office requested and complied with an independent investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Additionally, our office initiated a concurrent administrative internal investigation into Mr. Chappell’s death.
The statement, from MCSO Lt. Bishop Delaney, said the administrative internal investigation is still awaiting the outcome of TBI’s investigation. “When this office receives the TBI findings, we will continue and complete our review as it pertains to any potential policy, practice, or procedure violation of this office,” Delaney said. “As a matter of procedure, this office does not make comments on cases with pending open investigations.”
When reached by Clarksville Now, the TBI said they cannot comment as the investigation remains active and ongoing.
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden said he was “deeply troubled” by the findings. “I want the public to know I am committed to working collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, and our medical contractors and providers to thoroughly understand what occurred and ensure these concerns are addressed with the seriousness and compassion they deserve,” Golden said.
Chappell was the father of three young children, according to a GoFundMe for funeral expenses set up by his sister, Latesha.
This article will be updated.
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