18-year-old died after being tied down to mattress; 3 brothers charged in death

Three brothers from Cedar Rapids were arrested on Friday facing pending charges, including involuntary manslaughter, following the death of their 18-year-old brother, Ezekiel Baseme. In November 2024, during what they believed to be a schizophrenic episode, they tied him to a mattress. Tragically, Ezekiel stopped breathing and died, and police were only informed of his death several days later.

Authorities were alerted to an unresponsive individual at the family home on November 9, 2024, discovering Ezekiel had likely been dead for an extended period. His brothers—Christian, 29; Pierre, 26; and Azane, 23—are also facing charges of assault causing bodily injury and false imprisonment. They were booked into Linn County Jail on Friday and could be formally charged on Saturday.

Initial reports from the family indicated that Ezekiel displayed erratic behavior starting on November 3, leading to aggressive actions on November 5. His brothers, concerned for their safety, tied him to a mattress, believing it was a necessary measure. They noticed a lack of movement from him over the next couple of days, but did not seek help until they realized he had no pulse on November 7.

The affidavit revealed that Ezekiel struggled with schizophrenia and had experienced severe hallucinations, including threats against his family. In prior incidents, he threatened to harm himself and others, prompting his brothers to restrain him. Despite their intentions, this decision led to devastating consequences when they failed to ensure his safety.

After his death, the family removed the restraining devices and allegedly did not call for medical assistance until days later. Investigators are examining security footage from cameras installed by the homeowner, Christian Baseme, as part of the ongoing investigation into Ezekiel's death.