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Minneapolis News
Estelle Timar-Wilcox

Minneapolis orders audit of police response in death of Allison Lussier

People hold signs
Family members and supporters marched urging Minneapolis police to investigate Allison Lussier's death in connection with documented intimate partner violence. Lussier's son Hanks spoke to a small crowd of people gathered in front of the 1st precinct.
Melissa Olson | MPR News 2024

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The Minneapolis City Council is requesting an independent report and analysis of how police responded before and after a woman’s death a year ago, as her family alleges officers didn’t do enough to prevent or investigate her death.

Allison Lussier, a 47-year-old Indigenous woman, was found dead in her apartment in February 2024. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined that the cause of death involved a subdural hematoma — a blood buildup between the brain and the skull. 

But the medical examiner’s office said it could not determine the manner of death, or what caused the subdural hematoma. It can be caused by head trauma.

On several occasions, Lussier had told police she was experiencing domestic violence. She made her last report in mid-February, days before her death. 

Lussier’s family, and advocates for missing and murdered Indigenous women, say the police and city officials didn’t do enough to protect Lussier from her abuser, or to investigate any connection he had to her death.

Lussier’s aunt Jana Williams wants more information from the city. She said she’s struggled to get answers about the investigation.

“I’m hoping to God that I can finally get some transparency from what MPD did and didn’t do,” Williams said. 

City Council member Robin Wonsley said in a press conference Tuesday she supported the family’s effort to find justice. 

“I hope this after-action review gives us — as a city and also as a community — understanding of how this tragedy occurred in the first place,” Wonsley said.

The review will be an independent report and analysis on city policies and actions taken by MPD and other city employees during the last three years, in relation to Lussier’s death, according to the city.

Police Chief Brian O'Hara said the department followed policies in responding to Lussier’s domestic violence calls before her death. He said police are committed to investigating the incident.

The city council voted unanimously Tuesday to request an after-action review from the city auditor. If the auditor takes up the request, they can conduct an internal investigation or contract a third party to review the case. The council requested a report by July 31.