Spokane man dies after altercation with caretaker

Spokane police detectives are investigating the death of a 50-year-old man at an assisted living center early Monday. Gregory J. Baier died after a caretaker at Mallon Place, 1724 W. Mallon Ave., restrained him during a fight with another resident, police said today. Baier was unresponsive when medics arrived about 1:15 a.m. Monday and was pronounced dead at a local hospital. Baier had been at the home since Sept. 15 after leaving Eastern State Hospital, where he was treated for schizophrenia, said his brother, Spokane developer Mark Baier. Mark Baier said his brother was “very happy” when he last saw him Sunday afternoon. The two planned to visit Lake Coeur d’Alene on Monday, Mark Baier said. “My brother liked his life,” Baier said. Greg Baier had been “in and out” of Eastern State Hospital for schizophrenia after leaving the Marines, said his brother-in-law, Dale Ireland. “He was a healthy guy, didn’t have any problems, and he wasn’t a troublemaker,” Ireland said. Ireland said Greg Baier had the mental capacity of a 12 year old. “He’s never been the fighting type,” Ireland said. Police said the investigation is ongoing. Toxicology reports could take six weeks to arrive.