TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) — A 44-year-old man who became unresponsive during an altercation with staff at a Tucson behavioral health facility died from blunt force injuries, and the Pima County Medical Examiner has ruled his death a homicide.
Bluesky D. Thomas, 44, had been a patient at Sonora Behavioral Health after being transferred from jail on October 2, 2025, for psychosis, according to records from the Pima County Office of the Medical Examiner.
On October 20, 2025, Thomas reportedly became agitated and was administered Haldol, Ativan and Benadryl. During an altercation with staff, he became unresponsive on the floor, according to the medical examiner’s report.
Thomas was transported by EMS to Northwest Medical Center, where imaging revealed multiple cervical spine fractures and a liver laceration. He was pronounced brain-dead on October 21, 2025, at 12:16 p.m.
An autopsy conducted October 24, 2025, documented extensive injuries throughout Thomas’s body. The medical examiner found fractures of the cervical vertebrae with an associated spinal cord contusion and hemorrhaging in the neck muscles. Thomas also suffered the loss of multiple teeth, with several teeth found in his larynx, along with a liver laceration and approximately 700 milliliters of blood in his abdominal cavity.
Additional injuries included abrasions to his scalp, torso and extremities, as well as soft tissue hemorrhaging in his back muscles.
“In consideration of the known circumstances surrounding this death, the available medical history, and the examination of the remains, the cause of death is blunt force injuries,” the report states.
The toxicology report found several prescription medications in Thomas’s system, but they were not listed as the cause of death. The medical examiner determined Thomas died from blunt force injuries.
The Pima County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case.
On June 15, Bryce Nolan Coleman, 28, was arrested by Pima County Sheriff’s Department detectives on a manslaughter charge. Coleman, a former Sonora Behavioral Health employee, turned himself into authorities based on an active arrest warrant, PCSD said.
Homicide Unit detectives determined Thomas’ death involved Coleman after conducting an eight-month long investigation, PCSD said.
Sonora Behavioral Health released a statement following Coleman’s arrest, saying:
“Sonora Behavioral Health maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that compromises patient wellbeing or the integrity of care. The employee arrested was terminated following an internal investigation. Sonora Behavioral Health has cooperated and will continue to fully cooperate with authorities.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to the patient’s family.
“Sonora Behavioral Health remains firmly committed to providing high-quality care for individuals facing complex behavioral health and substance use challenges.”