Alteriq Pleasant
Alteriq Pleasant, 27, was held at Cook County Jail when he had a medical emergency in a residential treatment unit dormitory on July 21, 2022, and he died at Mount Sinai Hospital on August 2. His mother, Vickki Willis, described him as her best friend and said they spoke ten times a day; she said she did not know he had died until later. The Cook County Sheriff's Office said foul play does not appear to be a factor and that the manner of death was pending, but his mother disputes that account, saying he had marks on his neck and broken wrists, and community activists have called for a civil rights investigation. An autopsy found complications of probable opioid toxicity, and the medical examiner's office ruled the death an accident, though the family's questions remain.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office says foul play does not appear to be a factor and the manner is pending, while his mother disputes that account, saying he had marks on his neck and broken wrists, and activists are calling for a civil rights investigation; the medical examiner later attributed the death to complications of probable opioid toxicity and ruled it an accident.
Reported by: Cook County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Cook County medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Alteriq Pleasant's mother, Vickki Willis (family or their lawyers); community activists.
News reports (4)
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Activists call for civil rights investigation into death of Cook County detainee
- Man dies at Cook County Jail - Chicago Sun-Times
- Detainees who died at Cook County Jail in 2023 are remembered in vigil - Chicago Sun-Times