County DA declines to charge officers in woman’s death after arrest last year
The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office said last week that the 2025 death of a woman days after her arrest by Brentwood police was caused by a stroke and not by police restraint, ending a year-long investigation into her death.
Official response and confirmed impact
“While incredibly tragic, Yolanda Ramirez died from a stroke and other health-related issues, as opposed to police use of force,” the District Attorney’s Office wrote in a report.
“No further action will be taken in this case.”
26, 2025.
Ramirez was found barely conscious and confused in the back of their patrol car 20 minutes after her arrest following an altercation with her sister over the well-being of their brother, an elderly man who suffers from dementia-like symptoms.
Ramirez was then taken to a hospital, where she died on Oct. 3, 2025, according to the district attorney’s report.
Melissa Nold, an attorney representing the Ramirez family, said that Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton made the wrong call in the finding of death due to natural causes.
Incident under investigation
The decision means prosecutors will not seek charges against Brentwood police officers Aaron Peachman and Danielle Tjhia, who detained Ramirez, 72, outside a home in Brentwood on Sept.
