Nye County Sheriff’s deputies, detectives cleared in man’s death

Four members of the Nye County Sheriff Office have returned to duty after being placed on administrative leave during an investigation into the death of a man detained by deputy's in Beatty last month.

Sheriff Sharon Wherly held a press conference on Friday providing details on the man identified as Joshua Coats, 40, of Washington. Wehrly said Coats was driving from Washington to New Mexico where is wife is now living.

Authorities first made contact with Coats at a Motel 6 in Beatty. Wehrly said Coats' erratic behavior was the reason why deputies were summoned to the business back in August. Coates died not long after he was placed in restraints.

Though the cause of death was classified as a homicide, but two deputies and two detectives involved were determined not to be at fault through a joint investigation by the Nye County and Clark County Sheriff's Office. 

Wehrly said the incident was still under investigation.

The sheriff also said the man was under the influence of prescription medications at the time of his death.

Look for additional details in Wednesday's edition of the Pahrump Valley Times.