The sister of a ‘gentle giant’ who died after been restrained by four men in a York shop says her family has been left with so many unanswered questions’ more than three months after his death.
Samuel Diatta, 39, died following an incident at Mappin and Webb jewellery store in Coney Street, York on 26 July.
Four men, two in their 40s and two in their 50s, were subsequently arrested and released on bail whilst ‘police and medical investigations continue’.
Relatives say they have been left in ‘no man’s land’ ever since, with little information being shared with them to piece together. Due to police and medical investigations, they had to wait almost two months for Samuel’s body to be released to them for his funeral.
His sister Teba, who is represented by Hudgell Solicitors, says it was heartbreaking to lay him to rest with ‘so many unanswered questions’ about how he came to his death.
“This has been so tough for us as a family,” she said.
“Firstly we had the complete and total shock of suddenly losing a much loved brother and son, and then we also had the upset of seeing initial media reports wrongly suggesting there had been some sort of robbery.
“There’s been very little information since as to the sequence of events, still to this day. We understand that of course the police have to do their job and that it takes time, but it is frustrating and hard for us.
“We’d seen him on the morning of the incident as we went on a lovely walk before having a picnic in the park. He then went off and the next we heard later that evening was that there been an incident in the city and that he had died.
“We don’t know why he went into the jewellers, but it was my mum’s birthday two days later and we’d like to think he’d gone in there to buy something for her. We know there was a confrontation of sorts with a security guard, and that a number of members of the public then became involved.
“Why this all happened we don’t know, nor do we know how exactly Sam was restrained. Ultimately though it ended in his death and we’ve been left with so many unanswered questions.
“By the time the police arrived of the scene my brother was unresponsive and he never recovered. As a family we deserve answers, and we are determined to get them for Sam.”
Sam, 39, was half Senegalese and is described by his family as a ‘gentle giant, who was kind and generous and loved by all who met him.’ His family have said he developed mental health issues in his teenage years, which stayed with him throughout life.
Legal representatives instructed ahead of inquest
Vicky Richardson, Head of Civil Liberties at Hudgell Solicitors, has been instructed by family as the police investigation continues, and ahead of an inquest into his death.
She said: “It is such a difficult time for Sam’s family. A much-loved son and brother was taken from them suddenly at the end of July and today, more than three months on, they still have very little information with regards to the events which led to his death.
“The family simply want answers as to the exact chain of events which led to four people being involved in restraining him, and as to what caused him to be unresponsive by the time police arrived.
“They hope the police investigation, and a subsequent inquest into his death, will see all who can provide evidence come forward and do so, and of course give full and accurate accounts of the events of that tragic afternoon.
Four men involved bailed by North Yorkshire Police
In a statement, North Yorkshire Police said an investigation would consider ‘whether or not there is any criminality relating to the death, and to get the answers for Mr Diatta’s family and for those involved in the incident, and for the Coroner.’
Offices responded to a 999 call at 4.41pm and officers arrived at the scene at 4.46pm.
Upon police arrival, Mr Diatta was found to have become unresponsive, and emergency first aid was administered. Paramedics also arrived and continued to give Mr Diatta first aid at the scene. He was transferred by ambulance to York District Hospital, but unfortunately was pronounced deceased shortly after 6.40pm.
Sam made local headlines when, as 20-year-old, he dived in to the River Ouse in York to rescue a 24-year-old woman from the River Ouse.
Teba added: “Sam was a wonderful member of our family who will be greatly missed by us, his friends and family around the world.
Witnesses were asked to call North Yorkshire Police 101 and ask for the Major Incident Team. If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote incident number 405 of 26 July.