Nearly three months after a confrontation inside an Indiana Tim Hortons ended with the death of a 75-year-old customer, officials have released the woman’s official cause of death, offering new details as investigators continue reviewing the case.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office determined that Anita Grayson died from an acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure triggered during a physical altercation, according to records obtained by PEOPLE. The manner of death was classified as undetermined, and authorities say the criminal investigation remains ongoing.
Dispute Began Inside Tim Hortons
The incident occurred on April 16 at a Tim Hortons restaurant in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
According to investigators, Grayson became involved in a dispute with another customer while inside the restaurant. Witnesses told police the disagreement escalated into a physical confrontation before employees and bystanders attempted to separate those involved.
Emergency responders were called to the scene after Grayson suffered a medical emergency shortly after the altercation. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later died.
Coroner Releases Official Findings
Following a lengthy review, the Allen County Coroner’s Office concluded that Grayson’s death resulted from an acute worsening of congestive heart failure that occurred during the confrontation.
The report also noted there were no significant traumatic injuries that directly contributed to her death.
Because medical examiners could not determine whether the death was entirely natural or directly attributable to another person’s actions, they classified the manner of death as undetermined rather than homicide or accident.
Family Continues Seeking Answers
Grayson’s family says they still have unanswered questions about exactly what happened inside the restaurant.
Relatives have publicly called for investigators to release the complete surveillance video from Tim Hortons, arguing that the footage could provide a clearer understanding of how the confrontation unfolded.
Family members have also continued urging authorities to thoroughly investigate every aspect of the incident before deciding whether criminal charges are appropriate.
No Charges Filed So Far
As of this week, no criminal charges have been announced.
Fort Wayne Police say detectives continue reviewing witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical evidence while working with prosecutors to determine whether any criminal offense occurred.
Officials have not indicated when a final decision regarding possible charges may be made. Investigation Remains Active
The newly released medical findings provide important context but do not bring the investigation to a close.
Authorities stress that the coroner’s ruling is only one part of the overall case and that detectives will continue evaluating all available evidence before determining whether further legal action is warranted.
Meanwhile, Grayson’s family says they remain focused on honoring her memory while hoping the investigation ultimately provides a complete account of the events that led to her death after what began as an ordinary visit to a neighborhood coffee shop.
