Probe into Donora man’s death could take 4-6 months

The Donora resident died after an encounter with police in March.

More than two weeks after John “Koo Koo” Miller died following an encounter with Donora police, Pennsylvania State Police are waiting on several critical reports before the investigation can move forward.

Miller, 57, died March 22, five days after an incident with Donora police outside Donora Towers, where he had recently moved after returning to the borough from out of state.

Miller lost consciousness during the March 17 encounter, in which a Taser was reportedly used.

Pennsylvania State Police said Wednesday investigators are still waiting on several key pieces of evidence before they can determine what happened.

Trooper Kalee Barnhart, public information officer for Troop B (Belle Vernon) said investigators are waiting for an official report from Axon, the company that manufactures Tasers and body cameras used by many police departments.

Axon, formerly known as TASER International, provides body-worn cameras, conducted energy weapons and digital evidence systems for law enforcement agencies.

In this case, state police are likely waiting for forensic information tied to the Taser or any body camera footage, including device data, video analysis or a report generated from evidence collected during the incident.

“I heard back from the investigating trooper. He said we are waiting on the official report from Axon,” Barnhart said.

A timeline was not provided for when troopers expect that report.

State police are also waiting for the official cause and manner of death to be released from the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

According to Barnhart, that process could take four to six months.

Additionally, Barnhart said toxicology results are still pending and could take four to six weeks. Those results were requested for PSP reporting purposes.

“We are working with the DA’s office additionally, but for now, we are waiting on all of those reports,” Barnhart said. “So hopefully we will, in four to six months, have some answers.”

Donora Police were initially called to Donora Towers for an unrelated incident on March 17.

Family and friends said Miller was later recognized by officers as someone they believed was wanted on a DUI warrant. Miller was confronted by police and reportedly ran before a Taser was used.

Relatives have questioned whether there was an active warrant and whether the use of force was justified.

Miller became unconscious after the Taser was deployed and was taken by ambulance to Penn Highlands Mon Valley from the scene before being transferred to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he died March 22.

Miller suffered a heart attack, went into a coma and never regained consciousness, according to a family friend.

Investigators have not said how many times the Taser was deployed, whether body camera footage exists or whether criminal charges could be filed.

Barnhart said state police are working with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office as the investigation continues.

Earlier this week, family members said they had heard the officer had been placed on paid administrative leave.

Donora officials said Thursday the officer involved, who has not been publicly identified, is actively working as a police officer for the borough.

Donora Mayor Don Pavelko previously said the borough intends to be fully transparent and will share findings once the investigation is complete.