The autopsy report released Monday is damning: Lashawn Thompson died of "gross negligence" in a prison in the south of the United States. This schizophrenic inmate was found dead on September 13, 2022, emaciated, extremely dirty and his body infested with insects in a cell in the psychiatric wing. The 35-year-old African-American homeless man was taken into custody in June by the sheriff of Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, after spitting on an officer.

An official autopsy had ruled that the causes of death were "undetermined" against a background of "schizophrenic and bipolar disorders". Thanks to funds paid for by football player Colin Kaepernick, who is heavily involved in the Black Lives Matter movement to fight racism and police violence, his family had commissioned an independent forensic pathologist to find out more.

15 kg less

As a result, new reviews were conducted. Lashawn Thompson died of "complications due to gross negligence," Dr. Roger Mitchell concluded in a report released Monday. According to him, Lashawn Thomson had been prescribed medication to contain his schizophrenia when he arrived in prison, but appears not to have received it for at least 43 days. This precipitated his decline as he was unable to eat, drink or wash without treatment.


An independent autopsy into Lashawn Thompson's death found the 35-yo died due to "severe neglect" at the Fulton County Jail. We need accountability for his DEPLORABLE death — the inaction, cruelty, and inhumanity that led to his death cannot go unaccounted for! pic.twitter.com/uCVVS1avR8

— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) May 22, 2023

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At the time of his death, he weighed 15 kg less than when he was admitted, he was dehydrated and covered with a layer of grime, notes the doctor. His body was home to "countless insects," including in the nose and mouth, as well as "multiple bites on the arms and legs," adds the doctor, who considers it possible that the high number of lice caused anemia.

The doctor concludes that there was a homicide

He eventually succumbed to a cardiac arrhythmia, but it was not a "natural" cause of death. "Lashawn Thompson was neglected to death," he wrote, calling his death a "homicide." At a press conference, his family's lawyer, Ben Crump, said his cell had become "a torture chamber".



"Someone has to be accountable to their loved ones," he said. However, no complaint has been filed at this stage. According to local media reports, the county sheriff had recently received the family and accepted the resignations of two jail officials.

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