Amanda Bews
Amanda Bews, a 29-year-old woman from Fresno, had struggled for years after a painful nerve condition, and her family says she was a mother of two who was embarrassed by her struggles. She died in September 2022 while held in a Los Angeles County jail. Her family's federal lawsuit alleges that jail medical staff stopped treating her alcohol and drug withdrawal shortly before she became unresponsive. The county medical examiner ruled the death an accident linked to heroin, methamphetamine and chronic alcohol use, and the Sheriff's Department said several employees faced administrative action.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death an accident from heroin, methamphetamine and chronic alcohol use; her family's lawsuit says jail medical staff stopped treating her withdrawal before she became unresponsive.
Reported by: Los Angeles County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); her family's attorneys' federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family filed a federal lawsuit alleging that jail medical staff stopped treating her withdrawal shortly before she became unresponsive.