Medical examiner: Cedar Rapids man tied to bed died from starvation, dehydration

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man whose three brothers were arrested last week on charges they unintentionally caused his death by tying him to a bed for days died from “complications of probably starvation and dehydration in a setting of physical restraint,” according to criminal complaints filed.

Ezekiel Baseme, 18, had been dead a few days when police were called Nov. 9, 2024, by family members. His three brothers — Christian F. Baseme, 29, Pierre K. Baseme, 26, Azane E. Baseme, 23, all of Cedar Rapids — were arrested Friday and each were charged with involuntary manslaughter, assault causing serious injury and false imprisonment.

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According to criminal complaints, Ezekiel had been acting out in the week before his death and had assaulted Christian and threatened other family members, as well as making suicidal statements. He had quit sleeping and eating and not drinking many fluids.

His brothers decided to restrain him on Nov. 4 by tying him to a mattress with ropes, straps and twine. They took turns watching over him during the next couple days, during which time he did not eat any food or drink any water. They told police he tried to fight them when they untied him to give him water, the complaints state.

He stopped breathing Nov. 6 but his heart was still beating, according to what the brothers told investigators. On Nov. 7, he started to swell and smell, and on Nov. 8 the brothers agreed he was dead. They called police Nov. 9.

All three brothers were arrested Friday and had their first appearances in court over the weekend. They are each being held in the Linn County Jail on a $10,000 bail apiece.

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