Social Justice

Kylen English : Family of young singer who reportedly died from jumping off bridge, releases video surveillance

The family of Kylen English, who died several weeks ago, has released video showing surveillance of the young man in custody of the police before he died.

Published

15 years ago

July 28, 2011

UVM Staff

Kylen English

Dayton, Ohio – The family of Kylen English, who died in police custody, has released video showing surveillance of the young man before he died.

Dayton Police reports while traveling in a police cruiser to Montgomery County Jail, Kylen shattered the cruiser’s back window with his head, escaped on a bridge, then jumped to his death.

Family Questions Police’s Account

Kylen’s family and friends are questioning the police’s account.

They saw no signs of depression or suicidal tendencies in the young man, and they don’t believe the police department’s explanation of events.

“He was not violent; he was not angry. That’s not the person we knew,” said Marsha English, an aunt.

Witness Claims To Have Seen Kylen English Jump

A man by the name of Michael Tolliver, claims he seen Kylen jump to his death.

Using his cell phone, Tolliver posted the following message on his Facebook page at 9:49 p.m. July 16, 11 minutes after Dayton police say English jumped from the bridge:

“SWARE to god somebody just busted out this “COP CAR WINDOW, JUMPED OUT THE BACK OF HIS CAR ON SALEM, WIT CUFFS ON, AND JUMPED OVER THE BRIDGE…..I CAN’T BELIEVE I JUST SAW THAT!”

When Tolliver saw the incident and posted his message on Facebook, he did not know the man was Kylen English, a long-time acquaintance.

He later posted an apology for “any jokes I made about the guy who jumped off the bridge … death is not funny.”

Jail Surveillance Video

Jail surveillance video shows Kylen English, handcuffed with his hands behind his back, calmly standing in the sally port on the evening of July 16.

In the grainy video, English is seen collapsed on the floor and part of his body hidden by a shelf.

Kylen English can barely hold his head up and his family believes officers used a taser on him.

According to reports, the jail’s nurse refused to intake English because of his condition.

He was then taken to a local hospital and medically cleared.

What Happened After Kylen English Was Released From The Hospital?

On the way back to the county jail, police said the 6-foot, 210-pound English, who was handcuffed, but not belted to his seat, dove out the broken window, jumped off the bridge to his death.

Kylen English Autopsy Results

The coroner’s office ruled English’s death a suicide and determined he had no drugs or alcohol in his body at the time of his death.

The autopsy also concluded no evidence of Taser use on English.

Federal Investigation

A federal investigation was conducted in English’s death but was closed due to insufficient evidence to charge the officers.

Update

The original video has been deleted.

Below is a press conference and video of Kylen English’s last moments.

Voices, what are your thoughts about this situation?

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UVM Staff

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.

6 Comments

Shegryl1

July 29, 2011 at 8:58 am

that man is not a police officer he may be kkk…but as sure as the winds gonna blow that mcgill murdered that young man ………..i send my condolences to the family and and ppl directly related to this young man…what happened was neither warranted or instigated by this young man …it had to be excessive force at the least,.. and looks like murder, plain and simple someone should be held accountable

Reply
Charmainewilliams

July 30, 2011 at 5:55 am

God is gonna give ur family peace over this sitution i promise u whats done in the dark always come to the light lord give his family peace in the name of jesus and remove that burden from their heart in the name of jesus touch his mom and strenghting her while she go through god bless ur whole family stay blessed

Reply
kortnee

July 31, 2011 at 4:34 am

if yall read up on the story…idk y maybe it was someone else talking…who knows, but you can hear someone sayin they wantd to kill themself and questions where they would go (heaven or hell) and there was also an eye witness. look on michael lavish-boomer Tolliver facebook. he makes a status of what he saw

Reply
kortnee

July 31, 2011 at 4:38 am

i think maybe wen he jumped he thought he would fall in the water, but landed on hard land…cuz not far from the cement was a river…i really dont believe he WANTD to commit suicide

Reply
- Baddrican
  
  August 9, 2011 at 3:44 pm
  
  how in the hell can he break a window with his head while hand cuffed and run to jump off a bridge! PLEASE tell me there is NO way you believe this!!!!!! And if he was why didn’t they stop the car and gain control of their suspect???? WHAT HUMAN CAN DO THIS????
  
  Reply
Kiyana Montgomery

August 1, 2011 at 2:24 pm

Last i knew,the back windows of police cars had them gates on em and were pretty thick,and i don’t think Kylen would have had enough time 2 bust a window,head 1st out of a police car n run n jump over a bridge faster than a police officer could get out the car n catch him 1st.the police’s story is bull.nobody believes that because it doesn’t make sense @ all.may Kylen’s family have peace.I didn’t know Kylen,I just knew of him,but may he rest in peace,God bless his soul.He did not deserve that.

Reply