The man who died just hours after a fight at a middle school basketball game in Alburgh earlier this year suffered an “acute cardiac event” after he was involved in the fight, Vermont State Police said Friday.
It was not previously clear from official reports whether the man, 60-year-old Russell Giroux of Alburgh, had taken part in the brawl before he died the night of Jan. 31.
According to police, an autopsy determined that Giroux died from an “acute cardiac event following altercation in an individual with coronary artery atherosclerosis.” Atherosclerosis refers to a buildup of plaque on the arteries’ inner walls.
Police said Giroux’s manner of death “will be listed as ‘undetermined.’”
The basketball game was among seventh and eighth grade boys from the Alburgh Community Education Center and St. Albans City Elementary School.
Police said Friday that they were still investigating the fight and working with the Grand Isle County State’s Attorney’s Office to determine if anyone involved should face criminal charges.