Bronx beating death of wife's would-be rapist ruled a homicide

CLAREMONT, Bronx (WABC) -- The May death of a man who authorities say attacked a Bronx woman and was then beaten by her husband has been ruled a homicide.

The autopsy results will now likely be presented to a Bronx grand jury.

Authorities say 61-year-old Mamadou Diallo repeatedly beat 43-year-old Earl Nash with a tire iron after he allegedly tried to rape Diallo's wife at their apartment.

The medical examiner ruled that the cause of death is cardiorespiratory complications associated with blunt force trauma of head, torso and upper extremities, acute cocaine intoxication and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

According to the NYPD, Nash illegally entered the building, approached the 51-year-old woman, beat her with a chair and hit her in the head, causing bruises to her forehead before removing her clothes.

The woman was able to break free and call Diallo, who was outside the building, on her cell phone. He rushed inside.

The husband, police said, confronted the suspect in the sixth floor hallway and assaulted him. Nash was rushed in critical condition to Lincoln Hospital, where he later died.

Hours before the attack, Nash was spotted lurking the hallway and elevator.

Diallo is currently charged with assault.

Related: Husband charged with killing his wife's would-be rapist says 'I don't want to be a hero'