This article was originally published on GoErie.com by Madeleine O’Neill on August 23, 2018

Erie County work-release inmate Felix L. Manus died of natural causes due to complications from asthma, Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook has ruled.

The inmate, 48-year-old Felix L. Manus, died June 11 after suffering an asthma attack during a work-release shift in late May, his family’s lawyer has said. The family charges that Erie County corrections officers failed to promptly seek medical care when Manus suffered the asthma attack.

Cook’s ruling came several weeks after Manus’ June 13 autopsy because the results of the autopsy have been pending microscopic studies. Cook said Thursday that he issued the ruling about a week ago.

Manus’ family has sued Erie County and the two corrections officers the lawsuit charges were involved in Manus’ care during the asthma attack: Joshua Pietras, a corrections officer, and Roger Herrmann, a lieutenant.