Sister believes Hagerstown man's death while in police custody on Eastern Shore was heat-related

July 25, 2008

The sister of a Hagerstown man who died Wednesday in police custody on the Eastern Shore last contacted his family Saturday to say he was heading for a job in that area.

Raymond H. Bartles, 43, died at Easton Memorial Hospital.

"I'm thinking it was heat-related," said Faith Bryan of Hagerstown when contacted by telephone today about her younger brother. "The doctor said he was dehydrated and he had no water with him."

Bryan said her brother often worked at carnivals, car shows and NASCAR events.

According to an Associated Press story, Bartles went limp after he was handcuffed by Maryland State Police following a series of incidents where he had reportedly been seen wandering in and out of traffic and acting strangely.

Bryan said her brother had been hospitalized for nine days in Florida four months ago for a heart attack.

"He had stayed here about two weeks ago," Bryan said. "When he called on Saturday, he seemed OK."

Contacted by telephone, a spokesman at the Centreville barrack said he had no information about the incident.

An autopsy has been ordered, according to the Associated Press story.

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