In-custody death investigation finds no use of force evidence

KENNEWICK, Wash-- Investigators looking into the death of a man who was in the custody of Kennewick Police say an autopsy shows no evidence that the man suffered any injuries resulting from the use of force.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, Kennewick Police officers responded to a report of a man allegedly using narcotics in a vehicle in the parking lot of Starbucks on W. 27th Ave.

Officers located the man and took him into custody, handcuffing him and placing him in the back of a patrol car while they continued to investigate.

A short time later, officers went to check on the man, later identified as Reno Casanova, 25, and found him unresponsive.

Officers pulled him out of the car and called for an ambulance while trying to revive Casanova, including administering Narcan, a nasal medication that can help reverse the effects of a drug overdose.

Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics, Casanova was pronounced dead at the scene.

Captain Brigit Clary with the Richland Police Department is leading the Special Investigations Unit investigating the death, and issued an initial report that found physical evidence is "consistent with statements made by Kennewick Police Officers during their voluntary interviews with SIU investigators, indicating no force was used during police contact with Mr. Casanova."

Kennewick Police Chief Ken Hohenberg requested the independent investigation immediately following the death. No officers were placed on leave following the incident.

Anyone with information that can help with the investigation is encouraged to contact Richland Police Sgt. Damon Janson at djansen@ci.richland.wa.us or Pasco Police Sgt. Jaime Raebel at raebelj@pasco-wa-gov.