LOCAL NEWS

Naked man appearing malnourished dies in Salt Lake City hospital after 911 callers reported, police say

Nov 22, 2024, 7:13 AM | Updated: Dec 9, 2024, 3:37 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — A 50-year-old man has died after he was seemingly malnourished and experienced an apparent medical incident in downtown Salt Lake City Thursday evening, according to Salt Lake City police.

On Monday, SLCPD identified the man as John Gianini.

At approximately 5 p.m., the Salt Lake City Police Department responded in the area of 800 South and 700 East after two separate 911 callers reported Gianini was naked, shaking, disoriented and going through trash there.

Because of the situation described by the two callers, social workers with SLCPD responded alongside two officers to assist Gianini.

“The man’s physical condition appeared very thin, weak and malnourished, based on a preliminary review of body-worn camera footage,” SLCPD said. “The man did not answer any of the officers’ questions.”

The officers requested medical crews to give Gianini a psychological evaluation and medical treatment. They helped him with clothing and blankets to “warm him up,” while they waited, according to SLCPD Chief Mike Brown.

At one point, they handcuffed him before paramedics arrived, because he repeatedly tried to stand despite instructions to remain seated. However, SLCPD said officers did not use physical force or fight the man at all.

Gold Cross arrived to take the man to the hospital, and the officers and social workers followed the ambulance there. While Gianini was inside it, his condition worsened, police said. Despite efforts to save his life by medical personnel, he died at the hospital at approximately 5:48 p.m., according to a preliminary investigation.

“The specific cause and manner of death is not yet known and will be determined by the medical examiner,” SLCPD said.

According to a release from SLCPD Monday, Gold Cross Ambulance reported that “Mr. Gianini had altered mental status, low blood pressure, was hypothermic, and they could not get vitals.”

The incident, while not caused by officer gunshots or deadly force, still qualified as an “officer-involved incident,” according to police. Per protocol, the two officers who interacted with him were placed on paid administrative leave. The investigation would further be conducted by West Jordan police.

SLCPD released bodycam footage from responding officers for review, in which Gianini was redacted “because he is unclothed; this decision is made to protect his privacy and uphold his dignity.”

The release states that the footage ends when paramedics arrive and begin medical treatment.

“I’m proud of how our officers handled this incident,” Brown said. “They approached this tragic situation with compassion and took steps to help …”


Contributing: Carlysle Price, KSL TV

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Naked man appearing malnourished dies in Salt Lake City hospital after 911 callers reported, police say