The Oakland Police Department released audio and body camera footage from emergency services on March 13, 2026. These recordings show the final moments of former NFL star Doug Martin. He died in police custody on October 18, 2025.
The audio captures two very different calls to emergency dispatchers. One call came from a scared neighbor. This person reported that a man was trying to break into their home for the second time.
Doug Martin
St. Mary’s Doug Martin gains some yardage during a varsity football game against Tracy High at St. Mary’s in Stockton on Oct. 7, 2005.
The second call came from the mother of the 36-year-old athlete. She told the operator that her son was having a mental health crisis. She said he had not slept for 3 days.
The mother told dispatchers that her son was on sleeping medication. She was clearly worried about his safety. This information reached the police as they arrived at the neighborhood scene.
Officers found the former running back acting erratically. Security cameras caught him breaking through a fence. He then smashed a window to enter a house.
Inside the home, police found Martin in a bathroom. Body camera footage shows the high tension. “We’re going to help you,” one officer shouted during the encounter.
A struggle started as 2 officers moved to detain him. They forced him to the ground. Several officers surrounded him while he was face down on the floor.
One officer appeared to have his weight on the back of the athlete. Shortly after this, the player stopped moving. He became unresponsive while still at the house.
Medics took him to a nearby hospital. Doctors pronounced him dead a short time later. The official cause of death is still not public.
The player’s family wants more answers. They sent his brain to the CTE Center at Boston University. Experts there will check for brain damage from his football career.
The Oakland Police Homicide Section is still investigating. Internal Affairs and the District Attorney are also looking at the case. No charges have been filed yet.
Details on the released video footage of Doug Martin
The March 2026 video release shows Martin smashing a glass window to enter a residence. Officers are seen entering the home with weapons drawn. They found him yelling from behind a door.
🚨🚨BREAKING NEWS🚨🚨
POLICE FOOTAGE HAS BEEN RELEASED FROM THE NIGHT OF THE TRAGIC DEATH OF #NFL LEGENDARY RB DOUG MARTIN.
Doug was suffering from long-term addiction & mental health issues.
This video is extremely scary to watch & absolutely tragic.pic.twitter.com/IgZ0rjzT4Y
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) March 14, 2026
The footage shows at least 2 officers taking Martin to the floor. It captures the moment he stopped breathing. The video is now part of the official evidence file.
Investigators are using this footage to determine whether officers followed the rules. The public can now see the struggle and the medical emergency. This release provides a clearer timeline of the tragedy.