It could still be weeks before the cause and manner of death are officially determined for the woman who died after a fight with a worker at Tim Hortons.
WASHINGTON — Two weeks after a 75-year-old woman died following a fight with a Tim Hortons worker, the Indiana location where the incident unfolded remains closed for now.
The investigation into the death of Anita Grayson is still ongoing, and it could still be weeks before the cause and manner of death are officially determined.
After surveillance footage of the incident was shared by the woman’s family, and then by police, the store at the center of the incident closed its doors, local news outlets reported.
A company spokesperson confirmed Thursday that the store has only been temporarily closed and the franchise owner plans to reopen the restaurant at some point but they don’t have any update on timing to share.
On May 13, the Fort Wayne Police Department conducted a death investigation after responding to a reported battery involving a 75-year-old woman and a 20-year-old worker at a Tim Hortons.
During the investigation, detectives learned that Anita entered the restaurant to address an issue with her drive-thru order. When she went inside, police say she began “berating a 17-year-old female employee.” That’s when a 20-year-old shift lead stepped in and told the woman to leave.
According to a release from FWPD, the shift lead put her hands on Grayson to stop her from reaching the other employee. Shortly after, the 75-year-old shoved the shift lead backward and struck her face.
Just moments later, security footage shows the altercation continue with the two on the floor. Video released on the incident shows Anita up and walking around for awhile in the restaurant after the fight. Police claim an employee gave her a cup of water, but by the time officers arrived — she was unresponsive.
FWPD says the shift lead was left with “scratches” and “a chunk of hair” pulled from her head. In the video, you can see the shift lead’s hair fall out of Anita’s hand.
Tawanda Grayson, Anita’s daughter, previously told WPTA that her mother “was wronged in the worst way.”
“I lost the matriarch of my family,” Tawanda told the local TV outlet.
Shortly after being taken to a local hospital, Anita was officially pronounced dead by medics.
“You should not enter a coffee shop for a coffee and a doughnut and come out unalived. That is diabolical,” Tawanda said. “It could have been your mother.”
The family shared with WPTA that their mother had been seeing a doctor for a chronic heart condition.
No arrests have been made in the incident, and FWPD said Anita’s cause of death has not yet been determined. The investigation was turned over to the county prosecutor to decide if any charges will be filed.
NOTE: In the police release, the department included security footage it obtained during the investigation. That extended clip can be found here, but a warning, it is graphic in nature as it shows the fight.