The death of 35-year-old Lashawn Thompson, who was found dead in an Atlanta jail covered in lice and feces, has raised concerns about neglect and inadequate medical care. While the official coroner’s report ruled the cause of death as “undetermined,” a private coroner hired by Thompson’s family, Roger Mitchell, classified it as a “homicide” due to severe neglect and the lack of necessary medical treatment.
According to Mitchell’s report, Thompson, who suffered from schizophrenia, was malnourished and dehydrated at the time of his death. He had also been deprived of his schizophrenia medication for a month. The family released Mitchell’s findings, and their attorneys are demanding that officials be held accountable for Thompson’s mistreatment.
Civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, emphasized the neglect Thompson experienced during his 93-day incarceration as a mentally ill individual. Crump stated that this case was not a natural death but rather a homicide, pointing to the severe neglect and lack of proper care Thompson received.
Thompson, a homeless Black man, was arrested on June 12, 2022, for an outstanding theft warrant while he was sleeping in a park near an Atlanta childcare center. Additionally, he was charged with assault for allegedly spitting on law enforcement officers. Due to his inability to afford bail, Thompson remained in jail.
The initial two months of Thompson’s incarceration showed that he was in good condition, as reported by the jail’s mental health provider on July 27. However, Mitchell’s report revealed a lack of documentation regarding Thompson’s care for the subsequent 43 days, with no record of him receiving his medication between August 11 and his death.
When Mitchell examined Thompson’s body after his death, he discovered signs of malnutrition and dehydration. Thompson had also lost 18 percent of his body weight and was infested with severe body lice.
Crump demanded a thorough investigation by local authorities into Thompson’s death, highlighting the need to hold someone accountable for what he described as “criminal negligence.” While no direct accusations of murder or civil suits have been filed at this time, Crump aims to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Thompson’s tragic demise.
