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Meth blamed for Iowa man attacking woman and police

Autopsy results show methamphetamine intoxication combined with heart problems to kill an Iowa man caught attacking a woman with scissors and a hammer.

Autopsy results show methamphetamine intoxication combined with heart problems to kill an Iowa man who was caught attacking a woman with scissors and a hammer.

Worth County deputies were sent to a home in Northwood on September 22, 2013.  The deputies said they found 44-year-old Michael Zubrod severely beating 48-year-old Rhonda Schukei with a hammer and a pair of scissors.

Deputies said Tasers had “little to no effect” on Zubrod, and that Zubrod also repeatedly sstruck a deputy in the leg with a pair of needle-nosed pliers.

It took three deputies to wrestle Zubrod to the floor and get him handcuffed and shackled.  Officers said Zubrod was speaking to officers while he was lying on the floor and handcuffed, but that he became unresponsive moments later.

Paramedics were unable to revive Zubrod, and he died.  An autopsy, as well as additional toxicology and cardiac testing were performed on Zubrod.  The autopsy results show Zubrod had elevated levels of methamphetamine in his body and that he had coronary artery dysplasia.

Authorities think those two factors, along with the physical stress of his assault on Shukei and his altercation with police, all contributed to Zubrod’s death according to autopsy results released December 14, 2013.

Worth County Attorney Jeffrey Greve concluded the actions of the deputies involved were justified.

Shukei has undergone numerous surgeries to treat stab wounds and blunt force injuries, and she continues to recover from her injuries.

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