North Las Vegas psychiatric patient’s death ruled a homicide

A patient died last year after being restrained in a North Las Vegas psychiatric ward, police confirmed Wednesday.

The coroner’s office ruled that Phillip Vernon Lucero, 54, of Las Vegas, died from cardiopulmonary arrest following restraint in the prone position. His death was ruled a homicide.

North Las Vegas police officers were called at 9:54 p.m. on Feb. 13 after Lucero, who was at the hospital on a 72-hour psychiatric hold, was being combative with staff, according to a statement from North Las Vegas police officer Alex Cuevas.

“When staff had restrained the patient he became deceased,” Cuevas said.

Cuevas said Wednesday that detectives were awaiting the final ruling from coroner’s office and no arrests had been made.

North Vista Hospital did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Cuevas said Lucero was brought to the hospital by the Metropolitan Police Department, but Metro declined to provide any details on his case.

Lucero’s death is one of two homicides resulting from restraint last year, according to coroner data.

Gregory Pfuhl, 36, died March 19 after he was restrained in a group home, according to the coroner’s office.

Pfuhl died at the TLC Care Center in Henderson. Las Vegas police confirmed they were investigating the man’s death but declined to provide further details.

Contact Sabrina Schnur at sschnur@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0278. Follow @sabrina_schnur on Twitter.