A man named LaShawn Thompson died in the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta on September 13, 2022. His lawyer believes that he died because of the jail’s lack of hygiene: he was found unresponsive in a cell that was “filthy” and infested with insects and bed bugs. When a detention officer found his body, she didn’t want to give him CPR. Thompson’s family is asking for an investigation into his death and for the jail to be closed.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s report didn’t find any obvious signs of trauma, but it did note a “severe bed bug infestation” in Thompson’s cell. The cause of death is still listed as undetermined.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has extended its condolences to Thompson’s family and is investigating his death. They’ve also taken some immediate actions, like allocating $500,000 to address the infestation and updating security protocols. They say that this case shows how important it is to have a new jail that can provide safe and humane conditions and offer mental health services.
