Talent Man With Bipolar Disorder Dies In Police Custody

A 23-year old Talent resident with bipolar disorder died in police custody last night. Authorities responded to a medical call at 10:18 p.m. on Wagner Creek Road after Christopher Ladue Jr. had an unknown medical reaction. He was lying on his back in the backyard flailing his arms. His parents and a friend brought him inside. The younger Ladue assaulted his father, broke a porch railing and flower pot, and ran away.
He tried entering a neighbor’s home, and about that police confronted Ladue. He refused to comply, and a taser was used on Ladue, with no initial effect.

After running from the property out on to Wagner Creek Road, a struggled ensued between Ladue and police, with more taser darts fired.

Shortly after police handcuffed, Ladue reportedly coded. Paramedics who were already on the scene for a medical call, administered aid, including CPR.

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department learned later that Ladue died at RVMC after being transported to the hospital by ambulance. An autopsy is scheduled, and detectives are investigating the case. Ladue had no police record.