Deaths in CustodyWork in progressIn progress
Died in prison

Andrew Thurgood

26 years old · died February 1, 2016 · High Desert State Prison, Clark County, Nevada

Andrew Thurgood, 26, died on February 1, 2016, while held at High Desert State Prison near Indian Springs, Nevada. Hours before he was attacked, he told his fiancée, Cynthia Morrow, on a recorded prison call that he expected to be jumped that day, and she asked him to think about their future. Prison officials said at the time that he was fatally stabbed during an altercation with two other people, and the Nevada Department of Corrections has said investigators identified two alleged assailants. Prosecutors later charged two men with his murder, and both have pleaded not guilty. His family's federal lawsuit alleges that he was stabbed 52 times inside his locked cell, that officers delayed responding, and that he was left to bleed out on the floor.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). Prosecutors say two fellow prisoners stabbed him to death, while his family's federal lawsuit alleges that officers delayed responding and left him to bleed out on the floor.

Reported by: Nevada Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); prison officials; Clark County District Attorney's office (outside investigators); prosecutors; Thurgood's family, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Review-Journal report (reporters).

Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit alleging that two fellow inmates attacked him, that officers delayed responding, and that he was left to bleed out on the floor, while Clark County prosecutors charged two fellow prisoners with his murder.

Sources (7)

Read the Nevada reportSee on the Nevada mapSee on the national mapAll records

Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.