FBI Cannot 'Disclose the Cause of Death' of Officer Brian Sicknick: Director Wray

The FBI “cannot disclose the cause of death” of U. S. Capitol Police officer Brian Sicknick, after The New York Times and other news outlets either retracted or updated reports claiming he was killed by being hit with a fire extinguisher during the Capitol riots on Jan. 6.

FBI Director Christopher Wray responded to a question from Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) during a Senate hearing on Tuesday about whether the agency has determined Sicknick’s cause of death. Grassley noted “conflicting reports” about his cause of death and whether there is a homicide investigation.

“There is an ongoing investigation into his death,” Wray said, adding that “I certainly understand … and appreciate the keen interest in what happened to him.”

But despite Wray’s testimony, it’s still unclear whether the FBI does not know Sicknick’s cause of death or whether the agency simply will not disclose it.

Wray then stated that “the investigation is ongoing … that means we can’t disclose the cause of death.” When asked again by Grassley about whether the FBI knows his cause of death, Wray said, “I didn’t say that,” and again repeated that the FBI can’t disclose the cause of death.

Sicknick’s death was invoked a number of times by lawmakers in Congress during former President Donald Trump’s impeachment and trial as they tried to portray the riots as an insurrection that resulted in the loss of lives, repeating claims from The New York Times that Sicknick was beaten by a pro-Trump supporter during the riots. The New York Times later updated its story to say “n... (Read more)

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