Abby Angelo
Abby Angelo, 29, was kind and warm, her mother remembers, someone who always wanted to help solve problems; she loved Hello Kitty and cooking, and she had a son whom her grandmother is raising. She died on June 28, 2021, nine days after being taken into custody, while held at the Jefferson County Detention Center in Colorado. The sheriff's office said deputies found her unresponsive during a scheduled cell check, and that the death is under investigation. A lawsuit brought by her son and mother says she died of a heart infection and did not receive basic medical care as the infection spread, despite visible signs of distress, and names the sheriff, county commissioners, nurses and the contracted health provider Wellpath. The case has been slowed by Wellpath's bankruptcy.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The sheriff's office said she was found unresponsive during a scheduled check and the death is under investigation, while her family's federal lawsuit says she died of a heart infection after staff and contracted medical providers failed to give her basic care despite visible signs of distress.
Reported by: Jefferson County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); her surviving son and mother, through their federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her surviving son and mother sued Jefferson County, its sheriff, and Wellpath employees in federal court over her medical care, and the case has been slowed by Wellpath's bankruptcy.