Massachusetts Man Dies in Police Custody After Getting Arrested for Stabbing Tinder Date

Erich Stelzer, known for his fitness videos on YouTube, died while in police custody after he was tased and arrested for stabbing his Tinder date beforehand.

This is a picture of Tinder.
Getty

homas Trutschel/Photothek via Getty Images

This is a picture of Tinder.

Erich Stelzer was found Thursday by authorities in Cohasset, Massachusetts as he was allegedly stabbing his Tinder date. According to a press release provided by the police, Stelzer, who made a name for himself with his fitness videos on YouTube, was seen “actively assaulting a 24-year-old woman with weapons including a knife” when they attempted to subdue him through the use of a taser. “Stelzer was immediately provided medical attention by EMTs,” the release said. “During transport to a local area hospital, Stelzer became unresponsive and was later pronounced dead.”

The DA’s office claims the police were “in the process of taking the male party into custody, the male party passed away.”

Stelzer and 24-year-old Maegan Tapley knew each other for about a week before the incident. She was working as a veterinary assistant for an animal center for three years. Tapley sustained “extensive” injuries as a result of the attack, and was taken to a local hospital. 

"My sister has been through a horrific attack that would have killed her had the police not arrived," Maegan’s sister said, perBoston 25 News. "It’s going to be a long recovery due to extensive wounds, but she’s an amazing, strong, young woman and will get through this. Her family and friends are here for her and will be by her side throughout this recovery.”

Cohasset Police Chief William Quigley responded to the incident with the following statement: “I'm extremely proud of the job my officers did. They acted heroically and absolutely saved a life. While it's sad there's a loss of life, they did great work." An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Latest in Life