Adam Howe
Adam Howe, 34, was a father of a young daughter and a former captain of the wrestling team at Belmont High School who was also involved in theater; a former classmate remembered him as "Nice kid, never any real problems." He was found unresponsive in his cell at the Ash Street Jail in New Bedford, Massachusetts, on Sunday, October 2, 2022, and died at St. Luke's Hospital. The Bristol County Sheriff's Office said he blocked his airways with wet toilet paper between 15-minute checks, and described his death as a suicide, while saying staff had taken precautions such as a protective smock and checks every 15 minutes because of his mental health history. Prisoners' Legal Services criticized the use of 15-minute checks rather than constant observation given his mental health needs, a criticism the sheriff disputed, and the state medical examiner was to conduct an autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office and district attorney describe it as an apparent suicide by blocking his airways with wet toilet paper, while Prisoners' Legal Services criticized the use of 15-minute checks rather than constant observation given his mental health needs, and advocates question that supervision.
Reported by: Bristol County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Bristol County District Attorney's Office; Prisoners' Legal Services (advocates); Cape and Islands District Attorney.
News reports (6)
- Massachusetts man accused of killing his mother is dead after apparent suicide in cell
- Sent to jail instead of a mental health facility, Truro man dies of apparent suicide
- Massachusetts man Adam Howe charged with mom's murder chokes on wet toilet paper, dies in custody
- Adam Howe rejected by mental hospital before dying in custody
- Bristol County Sheriff Hodgson claps back concerning criticism levied against him on handling of Adam Howe
- Fact check: Examining inmate suicides in Bristol County