An inmate in Nevada died after being pepper-sprayed and held face down. The cause of death was ruled a homicide.

Prison guards were found responsible for the death of an inmate who was pepper-sprayed, shackled, and restrained with his face to the ground, according to a ruling by the Nevada coroner's office.

The Southern Desert Correctional Center reported that the death of 39-year-old Patrick Odale on Dec. 28, 2023 was ruled a homicide, according to the Associated Press.

The investigation into Odale's death at the mostly medium security prison near Las Vegas, which began in November and lasted for nearly nine months, culminated in the finalization of the autopsy report in late August by the Clark County coroner's office.

The report stated that Odale passed away due to "positional and mechanical asphyxia while being restrained by law enforcement."

According to Oregon-based forensic pathology expert Michael Freeman, who was not involved in the investigation, "mechanical and positional asphyxia" usually occurs when an individual is restrained face down with their hands behind their back and pressure is applied to their torso, arms, or neck.

The coroner's office stated that Odale's low levels of methamphetamine and xylazine, an animal sedative, were a "major contributor" to his death, as reported in the report.

The Nevada Department of Corrections did not disclose any information indicating that Odale was restrained when they announced his death in a January news release.

The Nevada Department of Corrections has been contacted by Planet Chronicle Digital for comment.

The Associated Press was informed by the agency that they had no comment as the matter is still under investigation.

The details about the number of officers involved in Odale's death, whether any officers were disciplined, and how Odale obtained drugs while in custody are unclear.

A corrections officer was arrested in May as part of the agency's "crack down on contraband," according to court records obtained by The AP, for allegedly bringing cigarettes, lighters, cellphones, vape pens, tobacco, and liquid spice into the facility.

In early 2023, Odale was convicted of possessing a stolen credit card and attempting to conceal a weapon, and was sentenced to up to two years in prison.

The autopsy revealed that Odale was "erratic and growling" at the officers on the night he died.

The guards used pepper spray on Odale and locked him in a storage room with yard tools for several minutes until he began thrashing around.

The officers allegedly restrained the man and took him to the prison infirmary.

Several times, Narcan was given to Odale by both medical and prison staff during the ordeal.

The autopsy report suggests that there may be a missing segment in the video footage of the incident, which the coroner's office reviewed to determine the cause and manner of death.

The footage shows Odale groaning as he is taken to the infirmary with his hands shackled behind his back.

Video coverage resumes after a gap, and staff is seen performing CPR on Odale, who was unresponsive.

The autopsy revealed that the inmate's hands were no longer shackled behind him but were in front of his body when the video resumed.

Odale was pronounced dead shortly after.

The medical examiner determined that Odale's death was caused by being restrained in a manner that obstructed his breathing, in addition to the effects of recent drug use.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.