Woman who was involved in Crosby incident dies

An Aitkin woman initially arrested because of an altercation Saturday in the Crosby city park during the Fourth of July festivities has died, Crosby police said Tuesday.

Candice Sniatynksy, 38, Aitkin, died Sunday at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office said.

Crosby Police Chief Kim Coughlin said Tuesday her department received a report about 7 p.m. Saturday of two women fighting and arguing in the park.

An officer and an intern responded.

When the officer and intern arrived in the park, a witness pointed out two women who were involved in an altercation.

Coughlin said the women, who she said were friends, were involved in a loud verbal dispute and both were arrested for misdemeanor disorderly conduct.

Both were handcuffed.

Coughlin said Norvetta Zavoral-Mahala, 30, Brainerd, was handcuffed, told she was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct and placed in the back of a squad car.

Coughlin said Sniatynksy also was handcuffed and told she was placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. But before she could be placed in a squad car she suffered a "medical issue," Coughlin said. "It appeared she went into a medical condition - a possible seizure."

The initial officer and an intern, along with some firefighters who were present, assisted her by holding her head. An ambulance was called to the scene. The handcuffs were removed.

The woman was transported to the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to Abbott Northwestern Hospital where she was pronounced dead at 7:15 p.m. Sunday.

Coughlin declined to comment about the nature of the altercation. She also declined comment on whether alcohol was a factor in the altercation. "I can't comment on that either - because I don't know actually," Coughlin said.

Zavoral-Mahala was transported to the Crow Wing County Jail and released Sunday.

Coughlin said neither Sniatynksy or Zavoral-Mahala were tased by police during the arrest.

The Hennepin County medical examiner's office said it "is actively investigating this death. The cause and manner of death are unknown at this time."

Zavoral-Mahala was sentenced in April in Aitkin County District Court on a disorderly conduct conviction, stemming from a November incident.

KATHI NAGORSKI may be reached at kathi.nagorski@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5859.