Abdul Akbar
Abdul Akbar, 59, died on November 1, 2014, at the Wayne County Jail in Detroit, where he was held. According to the summary of the record, guards restrained him eight days before he died and he was injured; jail video shows guards dragging his limp body down a hallway. Wayne County Medical Examiner Carl Schmidt ruled his death natural, caused by heart disease. His daughter, Malikah Akbar, and their attorney say his injuries and inadequate medical care caused his death, and she filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of his estate.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death natural from heart disease, but his daughter and attorney say the restraint injuries and inadequate medical care caused it, and the family's federal wrongful death lawsuit contests the official account.
Reported by: Wayne County Medical Examiner Carl Schmidt (medical examiner or coroner); his daughter and attorney.
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit over his death at the Wayne County Jail, and no settlement or award amount is reported.