Anthony Lamar Walker
Anthony Lamar Walker, 34, had schizophrenia, and his mother, Toni Walker, says he did well when he took his medication. He died in his cell at the DeKalb County Jail in Georgia on December 26, 2022, about eight days after being booked. The medical examiner determined he died of hypothermia and ruled the death an accident. His family and their attorneys dispute that account: they say he was in a mental health crisis, that staff ignored his pleas for help and did not check on him adequately, and that he was left naked and wet in a cold, unlit cell. The sheriff's office has asked a federal judge to dismiss the wrongful-death lawsuit, and an internal jail investigation reportedly found no policy violations.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The medical examiner determined hypothermia and ruled the death an accident, while his mother and a federal wrongful-death lawsuit say jail staff ignored his pleas for help during a mental health crisis and left him in a cold cell without checking on him adequately.
Reported by: DeKalb County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his mother, Toni Walker, and his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit seeking $15 million against DeKalb County and Sheriff Melody Maddox, alleging jail staff willfully neglected him, and the sheriff has moved to dismiss it on sovereign immunity grounds.
News reports (11)
- Two inmates found dead inside DeKalb County Jail in 24 hours, deputies say
- DeKalb Jail announces two more inmate deaths; at least seven deaths reported this year
- Records released by Sheriff’s Office show 2022 was deadliest year for inmates since 2012
- GBI will not investigate deaths at DeKalb County Jail
- Investigation launched after two inmates die within 24 hours
- GBI will not investigate deaths at DeKalb County Jail
- Family of man who died of hypothermia at DeKalb County Jail seeks $15 million in lawsuit
- Mother of man who died of hypothermia in DeKalb County Jail files lawsuit
- Company hired to provide healthcare at DeKalb Jail was convicted in death of Wisconsin inmate
- ‘Ignored his pleas for help’: Lawsuit claims inmate died of hypothermia
- Mother seeks accountability after son dies of hypothermia in Georgia jail