Alburgh man involved in basketball brawl died of ‘acute cardiac event’

WATERBURY, Vt. (WCAX) - Autopsy results on the Alburgh man caught up in a middle school basketball brawl back in January indicate he died of a cardiac event, according to the Vermont State Police.

Troopers were called to the Alburgh gym following the seventh and eighth-grade game between Alburgh and St. Albans City on January 31. Cellphone video captured the violent melee as more than a dozen adults -- and at least two players -- were throwing punches or trying to pull others away. One of the fans, Russell Giroux, 60, of Alburgh, was later taken to the hospital, where he died two hours later.

Vermont State Police Friday say that while the autopsy gives the cause of death as an “acute cardiac event following altercation in an individual with coronary artery atherosclerosis,” the manner of death will be listed as “undetermined.”

Police say their investigation continues and they are working closely with Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito to see if any charges are warranted.