Local News

Enrique Delgado-Garcia’s cause of death revealed as blunt-force trauma

Enrique Delgado-Garcia died accidentally of blunt-force injuries to his head, according to the autopsy shared with his family.

Demonstrators outside at the DCU Center in Worcester where the State Police Academy graduation last year. (David L Ryan/Globe Staff )

By Molly Farrar

August 27, 2025

3 minutes to read

Enrique Delgado-Garcia, the Massachusetts State Police recruit who died in a boxing training exercise nearly a year ago, died accidentally of blunt-force injuries to his head, his family’s lawyer told The Boston Globe.

Delgado-Garcia, 25, died Sept. 13, 2024 a day after becoming unresponsive during a defensive tactics exercise and suffering a “medical crisis.” Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office announced attorney David Meier would lead an investigation into his death.

The results of the autopsy were shared with Delgado-Garcia’s family, and their lawyer Mike Wilcox relayed the findings to the Globe. He declined to share the copy of the report with the newspaper and didn’t return a request for comment from Boston.com Wednesday evening.

Delgado-Garcia, 25, died of complications from “intracranial hemorrhages due to blunt impact injuries of the head in the setting of physical training exercises,” Wilcox told the Globe. The state medical examiner’s office deemed the death an accident, he said, with the note that Delgado-Garcia was “injured during physical training exercises.”

The autopsy also found that Delgado-Garcia had a heart issue of “perimyocarditis with progression to inflammatory cardiomyopathy” of an unknown cause, according to the Globe. Perimyocarditis refers to inflammation of the heart and the sac surrounding it, which can weaken the heart muscle.

“There’s no way that they can spin this to excuse their conduct to failure to monitor this properly,” Wilcox told the Globe, referring to safety concerns at the training academy.

The incident surrounding Delgado-Garcia’s death so far has been unclear. Previously, his family said he was missing teeth and had suffered a broken neck and a brain injury.

A friend of his from Worcester previously said Delgado-Garcia called training conditions “torture,” citing hazing-like conditions. A former State Police trainee who was in the same class as Delgado-Garcia said he endured alleged bullying and racist remarks.

In a statement, a State Police spokesperson said its fully cooperated with the investigation and awaits the findings of Meier’s independent inquiry.

“(Delgado-Garcia’s) kindness, compassion, and dedication to the Department’s mission continues to inspire all who knew him from his time at the Academy and beyond,” the spokesperson said. “As we approach the first anniversary and continue our review of training practices, the Department shares the Delgado-Garcia family’s desire for a thorough accounting of the facts and circumstances of his tragic death.”

Meier didn’t return a request for comment Wednesday evening, but Wilcox told the Globe he’s satisfied with the ongoing investigation, adding “it appears they have not neglected to look at any aspect of this.”

Delgado-Garcia’s death is one of the many scandals marring the State Police, including former Trooper Michael Proctor’s handling of the Karen Read investigation and the investigation into the death of Sandra Birchmore. Troopers have also been convicted of overtime pay fraud schemes and fraud related to issuing commercial driving licenses.

Governor Maura Healey hired Colonel Geoffrey Noble from New Jersey in September last year for a fresh start.

“The events of the last three years have challenged our Department to thoroughly review our actions and take concrete steps to deliver advanced investigative training, ensure appropriate oversight, and enhance accountability,” Noble said after Read was acquitted of murder.

In May, Noble commissioned a review of training programs, split the cohort into two smaller groups, and appointed new academy leadership.

The boxing program was still suspended as of May, State Police said.

“We remain dedicated to ensuring our Academy’s programs and training practices uphold the highest standards of safety while preparing our recruits to serve with excellence and distinction,” Noble said at the time. “The independent evaluation is a vital investment in the future of Massachusetts law enforcement.”