Coroner rules man at Olympia Transit Center didn’t die of lethal injuries

The Thurston County Coroner’s Office concluded Wednesday that the man who died in police custody at the Olympia Transit Center on Monday did not die as the result of lethal injuries. However, the cause of his death hasn’t yet been determined.

Coroner Gary Warnock identified the man as Jeffrey McGaugh, 44, of Olympia. The results of the autopsy were inconclusive, and the manner of McGaugh’s death is pending toxicology and microscopic studies. Warnock said further results will be available in six to eight weeks.

However, Warnock said McGaugh did not die as the result of lethal injuries consistent with him having been beaten.

“There are no internal or external injuries consistent with that,” Warnock said.

McGaugh died Monday afternoon after he reportedly entered a back office at the transit center and assaulted several Intercity Transit employees, according to the Olympia Police Department. Two of the employees were transported to Providence St. Peter Hospital. One had been bitten on the arm, and the other was punched in the face. Both employees were treated and released.

Medics and Olympia Police responded to the scene, where McGaugh had already been subdued by Intercity Transit employees, and placed him in handcuffs. A sergeant at the scene noticed that McGaugh appeared to be unwell, and asked medics to examine him. Medics saw no signs that he was in distress, according to police.

The sergeant asked that McGaugh be examined a second time a few minutes later. The man wasn’t breathing, and died at the scene despite life-saving efforts, according to police.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Coroner rules man at Olympia Transit Center didn’t die of lethal injuries."