Tucson: Former University of Arizona Football Player Arrested in Manslaughter Death of Psychiatric Hospital Patient

A patient died from blunt force injuries after an altercation with staff at a Tucson behavioral health facility

Bryce Nolan Coleman, a 28-year-old former University of Arizona football player, turned himself in to the Pima County Sheriff's Department on Monday, June 15, facing a manslaughter charge in the death of Bluesky D. Thomas, a 44-year-old patient at a Tucson psychiatric hospital.

The arrest ends an eight-month homicide investigation into Thomas's death at the Sonora Behavioral Health facility on North Cornado Drive.

The autopsy reveals severe trauma

Thomas died on October 20, 2025, from injuries he sustained during an altercation with staff the day before, according to the Pima County Sheriff's Department.

An autopsy report obtained by local news outlets details the extent of Thomas's injuries:

• Multiple spine fractures
• A liver laceration
• Soft tissue hemorrhage of the neck
• At least two missing teeth
• A tongue contusion
• Scalp abrasions

The medical examiner ruled the cause of death as blunt force injuries and the manner of death as homicide, according to KOLD 13 News.

"Thomas had been admitted earlier that month because he was displaying symptoms of psychosis, his autopsy report said," according to the Tucson.com report by Griffin Salkowski.

Thomas's family told The Arizona Republic that he sometimes heard voices but had no history of violence.

The timeline of the incident

According to the autopsy report, Thomas became agitated and was administered Haldol, Ativan, and Benadryl. During a fight with staff, he became unresponsive on the floor. He was transported to a hospital and died the next day.

A toxicology report showed Thomas had the following substances in his system at the time of death:

• Caffeine
• Haldol (an antipsychotic medication)
• Olanzapine (an antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder)
• 9-hydroxyrisperidone (an antipsychotic)
• Diphenhydramine (from Benadryl)
• Hydroxyzine (an antihistamine for anxiety)
• Lorazepam (from Ativan)

Coleman's background and firing

Coleman was a 2016 Mountain View High School graduate and multi-sport athlete. He played football for Eastern Arizona Community College before earning a spot on the University of Arizona roster as a running back for one season in 2019. He later transferred to Western New Mexico University, according to Tucson.com.

Sonora Behavioral Health said Coleman was fired following an internal investigation into the incident.

"Sonora Behavioral Health maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for any conduct that compromises patient well-being or the integrity of care," the company said in a news release. "We extend our deepest sympathies to the patient's family."

A facility with a troubled history

13 News reported that Sonora Behavioral Health has faced previous scrutiny, including prior patient deaths, lawsuits, and leadership changes.

Coleman was booked at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex on the active manslaughter warrant. The Pima County Sheriff's Department did not release additional details about the circumstances of the altercation or Coleman's specific role in Thomas's death.

Thomas's case highlights ongoing questions about patient safety at behavioral health facilities in Pima County. His family is left waiting for answers after nearly eight months of investigation.

Coleman remains in custody as the case moves through the Pima County court system.