60-year-old Alburgh resident Russell Giroux died of an acute heart attack Jan. 31 at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans just over two hours after he was involved in an altercation among multiple spectators at a middle-school basketball game in Alburgh.
The medical examiner on March 31 determined Giroux’s cause of death was an “acute cardiac event following altercation in an individual with coronary artery atherosclerosis.” The manner of death will be listed as “undetermined.”
The Vermont State Police investigation into this incident remains active and ongoing. Detectives are working closely with the office of Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito to review the case and any potential charges for individuals involved in the altercation.
Investigators are continuing to work to determine what prompted the fight at the Alburgh Community Education Center and to understand the roles of the individuals involved. Detectives learned that Giroux had left the school and was driving in the direction of his home when he stopped his car and called first responders, who located him in the vehicle and transported him to the hospital, where he died.
Categories: Police Reports
Sad. It’s unfortunate that adults would get into a fight like that, but, by all accounts he was good man. Heart attacks at his age are not uncommon, but these days, every time I hear about one like this, I have to wonder about hidden cases of myocarditis and pericarditis, and the number of sudden deaths and accumulation of excess deaths. My condolences to his family and friends.
Strange how in countries like Canada and likely the U.S. the new leading cause of death is “unknown” or “undetermined”. It seems a rush in adrenaline triggers something among a certain group. God forbid we end up in a future high combat, major military confrontation, how many brave men and women will succumb to unknown or undetermined cause of deaths without any external wounds.