Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Antonio May

32 years old · died September 11, 2018 · Fulton County Jail, Fulton County, Georgia

Antonio May was a 32-year-old father of three from Macon, and his family says he was loved and was grieving his mother's death. His family says he was in a mental health crisis when he was held at the Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, where he died on September 11, 2018. The medical examiner attributed his death to sudden cardiovascular collapse with probable excited delirium and physical restraint use, and said it was unclear how the force used by deputies contributed. The family's federal wrongful death lawsuit says deputies shocked him with a stun gun, pepper sprayed him and put him in a restraint chair. A grand jury indicted six jail staff on murder charges, and the case has since been challenged in court.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner attributed the death to sudden cardiovascular collapse with excited delirium and physical restraint use, while the family's federal wrongful death lawsuit alleges deputies tased, beat and pepper-sprayed him and was released to deputies despite medical concerns, and a grand jury indicted six jailers on felony murder; the family's lawsuit says he was released to deputies despite medical concerns.

Reported by: Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Georgia Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); Fulton County District Attorney (outside investigators); May family and their lawyers (family or their lawyers).

Lawsuit: His family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit over his death at the Fulton County Jail, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.

News reports (14)

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