State police investigating death following domestic altercation

The Louisiana State Police has taken over the investigation into the death of a Ville Platte man who died after Ville Platte police were called to a report of a domestic altercation early shortly before 1 a.m. Wednesday, December 3, on Oak Street.
Police reported they found Keenan Ardoin, 24, and his girlfriend, Sheene Williams, who told police she ran into the back yard after Ardoin began arguing, then punched a window, injuring his arm or hand. Ardoin and Williams have three children, according to news reports.
She said Ardoin “chased me down” in the back yard and was biting her. At that point, Williams screamed, and a neighbor who heard Williams’ screams called police and reported Williams and Ardoin’s son was trying to separate Ardoin from the boy’s mother. Police arrived and pepper sprayed Williams and Ardoin, according to news reports.
According to the State Police, four Ville Platte police officers struggled with Ardoin in the dirt up to 10 minutes until they could handcuff him. Williams said police held Ardoin’s face “in the dirt.” According to news reports, officers said they called an ambulance when they noticed the cut on Ardoin’s arm. Soon after that, police said, Ardoin was not responsive. News reports differ as to whether Ardoin died at the scene of the altercation, in an ambulance, or in the hospital.
Ardoin’s mother, Alanda Wyatt, who lives near Williams, said her son was taking cocaine and formaldehyde, used by funeral homes to preserve bodies but also abused for its intoxicating effects.
Wyatt told TV news crews she believed the action taken by police contributed to the incident. “I want to have some answers,” she said. Ardoin’s body is being examined by a coroner in Calcasieu Parish, according to the State Police.