Doug Martin’s family speaks out after his mysterious death in police custody as details of his mental illness battle emerge

Doug Martin died while in police custody last Saturday at age 36, just months after he reportedly jumped out of a second-floor rehab center window during a serious mental health episode.

According to The East Bay Times, police in East Oakland responded to a report of a break-in at a home and found Martin at the scene. Officers tried to detain him, and after a brief struggle, he became unresponsive. He was treated on site and then taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. His official cause of death has not been confirmed by authorities.

Doug Martin’s family reveals his mental health struggle

Days after the incident, Doug Martin’s family said he had been suffering from mental illness and called it “the one opponent from which Doug could not run.”The San Francisco Chronicle reported that two months before his death, Doug Martin checked himself into Tranquility Rehab Center, a private treatment facility in Castro Valley, where he tested positive for cocaine and methamphetamine. Within his first 48 hours, he left the facility twice without permission.

A supervisor later found him outside with blood on his hands and face, believing he had jumped from his second-floor bedroom window.

Deputies who arrived at the rehab center said Martin appeared paranoid, resisted officers, and was eventually sedated by paramedics before being placed on a 72-hour psychiatric hold at Eden Medical Center. He was also reportedly found carrying fentanyl, three bags of cocaine, and a hunting knife.

Doug Martin’s NFL career and reaction to his death

Doug Martin was a first-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft out of Boise State and quickly became a breakout star for the Buccaneers. He recorded 5,356 rushing yards, 30 touchdowns, and 148 receptions in his NFL career before playing his final season in 2018. The Buccaneers released a statement saying, “We are deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing of Doug Martin,” and honored him as one of the top 50 players in franchise history. Also Read: Chiefs Heiress Gracie Hunt Writes Heartfelt Message On Miss Kansas USA Experience Ahead Of Miss USA 2025 FinalsDoug Martin’s family has asked for privacy while the investigation into his death continues. Authorities have not yet released details about what happened in his final moments.