Adam Montoya
Adam Montoya, 36, died in November 2009 at Pekin Federal Prison in Pekin, Illinois, of internal bleeding from a burst spleen, which his father, Juan Montoya, attributed to cancer. Juan Montoya said Adam repeatedly pressed his cell's panic button and asked for a doctor in the days before he died, and three other people held at the prison gave similar accounts. An autopsy found serious illnesses, including cancer, and the coroner said staff should have noticed that something was seriously wrong. The FBI and the U.S. Justice Department were reviewing the case.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). An autopsy found cancer and internal bleeding from a burst spleen; his father says guards ignored his repeated panic-button calls and requests for a doctor, and the coroner said staff should have noticed how ill he was.
Reported by: his father, Juan Montoya (family or their lawyers); the county coroner; three other inmates; Associated Press reporting (reporters).