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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Assisted living center death investigated

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 Thursday.

Baier was unresponsive when medics arrived about 1:15 a.m. Monday. He 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.

Baier said his brother was “very happy” when he last saw him Sunday. 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 the hospital for schizophrenia after leaving the Marines, said his brother-in-law, Dale Ireland.

Ireland said Greg Baier had the mental capacity of a 12-year-old, but “he’s never been the fighting type.”

Police said the investigation is ongoing. Toxicology reports could take six weeks.

Meghann M. Cuniff