False Claims Surround George Floyd’s Autopsy Report

CLAIM: A new autopsy report for George Floyd has been released in 2023, revealing he died from a drug overdose, not from the actions of arresting Minneapolis police officers.

AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The page shared on social media is from the original autopsy report, publicly released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s office on June 3, 2020. It has remained unchanged since then.

THE FACTS: As the anniversary of Floyd’s death came around, false claims emerged on social media suggesting new evidence about the cause of his death. These claims centered on a page from the autopsy report, which had already been made public.

Social media posts claiming to reveal new details include sections listing drugs found in Floyd’s system and state that no life-threatening injuries were identified. These posts falsely suggest the report concludes Floyd died of a drug overdose.

The full autopsy report states Floyd died from “cardiopulmonary arrest” due to “law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression,” identifying the death as a homicide.

Carolyn Marinan from Hennepin County confirmed the autopsy report remains unchanged since June 1, 2020. John Stiles, from the Minnesota Attorney General’s office, stated that the page circulating online is from the original 2020 report, showing nothing new.

During Derek Chauvin’s trial, the defense highlighted the presence of drugs in Floyd’s system. Chauvin was convicted and sentenced to over 22 years for Floyd’s murder. Three other officers involved have also been sentenced.

Prosecution expert witnesses testified Floyd did not die from an overdose or his drug use. Independent experts informed AP that underlying medical conditions or drug use noted in the autopsy don’t alter the finding of homicide.

Experts explained the absence of major injuries or damage doesn’t negate asphyxia; it merely shows no physical signs on the body. Stiles criticized the selective use of phrases from the autopsy in misleading posts, stating they ignore the report’s actual conclusions.

This report is part of AP’s efforts to combat misinformation, including partnerships to provide factual context. More details about fact-checking can be found with AP.