Afonso Brandao
Afonso Brandao was 27 years old. His family held a wake for him at George Lopes Funeral Home in Brockton and a funeral at Melrose Cemetery, and his brother Adilson Brandao has called for more information about his death. He was found dead in his cell at the Brockton police station in November 2020, a few hours after being placed there. Police told his brother that he died of a suspected overdose, and the family questions that account. The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death an accidental overdose, and in May 2021 a former Brockton police officer was indicted for allegedly falsely reporting that he had performed required cell checks on Brandao.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death an accidental overdose, but Adilson Brandao, the family, questions that account, and a former Brockton police officer was indicted for allegedly falsely reporting that he had done the required cell checks on Afonso Brandao.
Reported by: Brockton Police Department (the agency that held him); Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Adilson Brandao (brother) (family or their lawyers).