Family left ‘traumatised’ after death of dad tasered ‘multiple times’ by police

A family shaken by the death of a father-of-three have demanded answers after a police officer struck him ‘multiple times’ with a Taser.

Sali Byberi, 29, died last month after officers were called to investigate a ‘disturbance’ at his Braintree, Essex, home at around 11:30am.

They had been called to the Clock House Way residence two hours before to investigate an incident, the details of which have not been made public.

Body cam footage reviewed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) suggested Byberi, a manager at a Sudbury car wash, ‘assaulted’ an officer.

When he reportedly resisted arrest, an officer ‘incapacitated’ him using the electroshock weapon ‘multiple times’ before falling unwell, the IOPC said.

Officers remained with Byberi until paramedics arrived – Byberi, however, died at the scene at around 1:15pm.

Speaking through their lawyers at Irwin Mitchell, Byberi’s family yesterday described the ‘trauma’ they’ve suffered in the weeks since his death.

Sister Eli Sokolaj said: ‘We still can’t quite believe what happened and how Sali has been taken from us.

‘The last few weeks and trying to come to terms with his death and that he’ll no longer be in our lives, but particularly his children’s, has been incredibly traumatic.

‘It’s almost impossible to find the words to describe the hurt and pain we feel.

‘We’ve so many questions and all we hope for now at least is that we can get some answers.’

Byberi’s partner, Lenora Mafra, 31, is now left to raise their three children Akil, eight, Egilson, six, and Fabio aged five.

‘Sali was such a loving person. He was very family-orientated and adored his Leonora and his children,’ Sokolaj added.

‘He was also hardworking, outgoing, and generous and nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He would always be there when people needed help.’

Essex Police referred to the IOPC following the incident, prompting a probe.

The watchdog’s director, Amanda Rowe, expressed her ‘sympathies’ to Byberi’s loved ones.

‘When a person dies following police contact, it’s important that we carry out a thorough and independent investigation which will examine all of the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident,’ she said.

Rowe said IOPC forensic investigators have combed the scene and attended police post-incident procedures to hear officers provide their accounts.

‘We will continue to gather evidence to enable us to piece together the events that took place,’ she added.

Juliet Spender, a human rights lawyer at Irwin Mitchell supporting Byberi’s family, said: ‘While it’s only right that a thorough investigation into what happened is held, Sali’s loved ones understandably have a number of concerns about the events that unfolded on the day he died.

‘We’re now supporting the family at this distressing time to help investigate the circumstances surrounding Sali’s death and provide them with the answers they deserve.’

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