> It is my understanding that he was beaten by police officers, and the randomness of the twitter feed was the result of head trauma
Unfortunately that does not appear to be true.
The cause of death is not known at this stage, but it is not
believed to be suspicious. A spokesperson for Docker said
it was a "private matter."
According to the San Francisco police, officers were called
to Steiner and Union St in the city at 11.30pm on Saturday, December 26,
following reports of a man trying to break into a home – that man was
identified as Ian Murdock. He reportedly fought with the cops, and was
given a ticket for two counts of assault and one for obstruction of
an officer. The techie had been drinking, according to the police logs.
A medic arrived to treat an abrasion to Murdock's forehead, and he was
released so he could be taken to hospital.
A few hours later, on Sunday, December 27 at 2.40am, police were
called again to reports of Murdock banging on the door of a neighbor
at the very same block. A medic arrived to treat him for any injuries.
Officers then took Murdock to the county jail where he was held in a cell.
Murdock was bailed later that day, on Sunday, after a bond,
said to be $25,000, was paid. He died the next day.
It's clear something may have been wrong prior to any incidents occurring (why was Ian out in the streets alone, very drunk, trying to break into a home?).