Who tried to untie Max but was strangled in Freak the Mighty book?

In the book "Freak the Mighty" by Rodman Philbrick, it was Tony, a member of the "Grim Reaper Gang" who tried to untie Max and ended up being strangled.

This happens after Max, tied up and left for dead by the Grim Reapers, is saved by Freak. Tony, believing Max is dead, attempts to undo the ropes but is accidentally strangled by the rope itself when he falls backwards.