Tragedy at Bristol Hospital: Family Seeks Answers After Man Dies Weeks Following Incident
BRISTOL, Tenn. — The family of Matthew Stoddard, who died on July 13 after an altercation at Bristol Regional Medical Center (BRMC), is demanding clarity on the events that led to his death. In what began as a **mental health crisis**, Stoddard’s life took a tragic turn after two encounters with Sullivan County law enforcement.
According to his brother Steven Stoddard, Matthew’s mental state had been deteriorating, and the family was desperately seeking help. On May 22, Matthew allegedly attempted to grab a Sullivan County officer’s weapon while being detained at BRMC, leading to a violent struggle. The officer reportedly struck Matthew multiple times and used a baton in an attempt to subdue him. Ultimately, hospital security used **pepper spray** to control the situation.
Steven Stoddard recounted that his brother needed emergency heart surgery after suffering a **cardiac arrest** during the incident. Matthew never regained full consciousness and died weeks later. “It was made plain to everyone that he was having a mental health crisis and needed help, and no one helped him,” Steven lamented.
The trouble started a day earlier, on May 21, when Matthew was arrested for **trespassing and resisting arrest** after his family mysteriously ended up inside a private residence in Kingsport. Matthew’s behavior had apparently become erratic, which led to a confrontation with deputies. In the process of being detained, he allegedly became combative, leading officers to employ various restraints and measures.
The Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) stands by the actions of its employees, stating that an internal investigation confirmed all actions taken were in compliance with policy. The report includes incidents from that night when Matthew was reported to have hit his head against a police cruiser window, prompting officers to place him in further restraint.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has been called in to investigate the hospital incident since it involved the discharge of a service weapon. The investigation is still ongoing. Meanwhile, Steven Stoddard believes the family hasn’t been given the full picture regarding the injuries and the unfolding of events.
SCSO’s reports detail Matthew’s violent behavior, including kicking officers and trying to bite them, which led to his transfer to BRMC under tight security. During his time at the hospital, the situation escalated again when officer Cody Cunningham tried to readjust Matthew’s handcuffs to make him more comfortable. Matthew then allegedly grabbed the officer’s firearm, leading to another physical struggle and the eventual discharge of the weapon, which struck the floor.
Cunningham’s account describes Matthew seizing a baton and hitting himself with it before being subdued by hospital security. Matthew was later kept in a medically induced coma and transferred to a hospital in Chattanooga, where he eventually succumbed.
From Steven’s perspective, multiple opportunities were available for authorities or hospital staff to intervene more compassionately and effectively. “At any one time, someone through this whole process could have stepped in and done the right thing,” he said.
Matthew’s family remembers him as a devoted husband and father, who had worked for over two decades as a technical specialist. Described as **“vibrant, full of life”**, his loved ones recall his passion for family activities, like renting pontoon boats and kayaking at Center Hill Lake.
As his family continues to mourn, they’re determined to get to the bottom of the tragedy. They want Matthew to be remembered not just for his final days but for the loving person he was. “We’re going to do what we can to fight for Matt, and we want this to be as public as possible. Because keeping quiet is not how things change,” Steven asserted.
The community and those who knew Matthew are left grappling with questions about mental health crisis response and how such tragic outcomes can be prevented in the future. The Stoddard family’s quest for answers continues, fueled by a commitment to ensure that Matthew’s story prompts a broader discussion and eventual change.
