Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 01/05/05

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Craig Brooks

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

INMATE DIED OF DRUG OVERDOSE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that there was no wrongdoing by members of law enforcement involving the tragic death of Anthony Zakharoff, who died after being arrested by Santa Rosa police officers and taken to the Sonoma County jail on July 27, 2003. According to Dr. Joseph O’Hara, a pathologist for Santa Clara County, Zakharoff died as a result of a drug overdose.

Pursuant to the county critical incident protocol, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s office reviewed the conduct of Santa Rosa officers and Sonoma County Sheriff custodial officers and medical staff at the Main Adult Detention Facility.

The review of the critical incident was to determine whether Mr. Zakharoff’s death was attributable to conduct on the part of members of law enforcement. At some time before the police contacted Zakharoff, he ingested two bags of methamphetamine, one of which burst in his stomach. The police were initially called by citizens concerned about the strange actions of Zakharoff. The autopsy findings revealed that Anthony Zakharoff died as a result of methamphetamine overdose.

Santa Rosa Police Department invoked the protocol which required the Sheriff and the District Attorney to conduct an investigation. Deputy District Attorney Craig Brooks completed the final report, and was assisted by senior investigator Andy Mazzanti. The final report on this matter will be submitted to the Grand Jury for review.