Inquest Ordered Into Man’s Death

The King County executive has ordered an inquest into the death of a man who died after being restrained by five Federal Way police officers and one King County officer.

Tama Ava, 43, collapsed during the struggle with the officers on Dec. 20 on a Federal Way street. His death was ruled accidental by the King County medical examiner’s office.

Police reports said Ava had stopped his car with his wife inside and began walking away from the vehicle. A police officer tried to talk to him, but he kept walking. Other officers arrived to help detain Ava, police reports said.

He collapsed and died after being handcuffed.

The medical examiner’s office determined that Ava died of heart failure related to serious existing disease. But the autopsy also concluded that being handcuffed while lying on his stomach contributed to Ava’s death.

No date for the inquest has been set yet, according to King County Executive Ron Sims’ office.

Ava’s widow, Masina Ava, filed a $5.5 million claim this week against the city of Federal Way. She contends police had no reason to stop her husband.