The cause of death for a 75-year-old grandmother who died following an altercation at a Tim Hortons in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has been revealed as acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure, according to an autopsy report. Anita Grayson was pronounced dead on May 13 after becoming unresponsive at the coffee shop.
The Allen County Coroner's Office ruled her manner of death as 'undetermined,' indicating that officials could not definitively classify it as natural, accidental, or homicide. The autopsy noted no significant contributory injuries from the physical altercation, suggesting any trauma sustained was minor and not the primary cause of death.
Surveillance footage showed Grayson entering the Tim Hortons to complain about an order error. The encounter escalated when a 20-year-old employee asked her to leave. Police reported that Grayson then shoved the employee and another staff member, and struck one of them, pulling out a lock of her hair. In response, a worker pushed Grayson, causing her to fall. She was found unresponsive by officers who arrived approximately ten minutes later.
Grayson's daughter, Tawnda, has publicly disputed the findings, asserting that her mother's death was a direct result of the fight. She expressed disbelief on social media, questioning the authorities' handling of the case and stating that her mother would still be alive if she had not entered the coffee shop.
Allen County Coroner Dr. E. Jon Brandenberger explained that 'acute exacerbation' means the heart failure suddenly worsened, a condition that can be triggered or aggravated by the increased heart rate during a physical altercation. He emphasized that an exhaustive investigation and review of evidence were conducted before reaching the 'undetermined' manner of death classification.
The Allen County Prosecutor's Office is expected to review the final autopsy report. No Tim Hortons employees have been charged in connection with the incident, which remains under investigation.