Andrew Avelar
Andrew Avelar died in February 2022 while held at the Oklahoma County Jail in Oklahoma City. A detention officer found him unresponsive in his cell early on Saturday, February 26, and he was taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he later died. Jail officials said an initial investigation appears to show he was attempting suicide, but his father, Rudy Avelar, said his son was looking forward to the future and was not suicidal. The family and the Oklahoma Coalition Against People Abuse are demanding answers, and the State Medical Examiner's Office will determine the official cause and manner of death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). Jail officials said an initial investigation appears to show he was attempting suicide, but his father, Rudy Avelar, disputes that account while the State Medical Examiner's Office determines the cause.
Reported by: Oklahoma County Jail officials (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.
Sources (4)
- Oklahoma County Detention Center detainee dies; investigation underway
- Father of inmate found dead in Oklahoma County Jail questions his death
- Scrutiny grows as Oklahoma County Jail sees 12th inmate death in 2022
- 14 Oklahoma County Detention Center inmates have died this year; toxicology report claims 1/4 are due to fentanyl overdoses