Aubrey McKay
Aubrey McKay, 27, was weeks away from release from Wallens Ridge State Prison in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, when he died in June 2025, and he had planned to go home to his family. His sister, Avondra Carter, called him 'the sweetest soul ever' and 'our protector.' A man held in the next cell says McKay was struggling after learning his mother had cancer and repeatedly asked for mental health help that never came. The state medical examiner's office ruled the death a homicide caused by multifactorial asphyxia, and his mother said she was told of head trauma, black eyes and a fractured Adam's apple. The Virginia State Police and the state Attorney General's Office are investigating, the man in the next cell says officers beat McKay, and the Virginia Department of Corrections has said at least one officer was reprimanded or placed on leave.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from multifactorial asphyxia, and a former inmate says guards beat McKay after he repeatedly asked for mental health help.
Reported by: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia (medical examiner or coroner); Virginia Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Devon Jensen, a former inmate housed next to McKay (witnesses); Yahshua Bruce, a former inmate (witnesses); McKay's mother (family or their lawyers).
News reports (14)
- Virginia prison guard fired after death of inmate at Wallens Ridge - The Virginian-Pilot
- Aubrey McKay’s death at Wallens Ridge prison ruled a homicide by the state medical examiner
- Former inmate says he saw officers beat Virginia prisoner to death: 'He was a human being, a person'
- Report: Death of Wallens Ridge inmate in June ruled a homicide
- Wise County prosecutor steps aside from Virginia inmate death case a week after CBS 6 report
- Wallens Ridge death considered homicide, officer reprimanded
- Virginia attorney general launches investigation into Wallens Ridge homicide
- Governor orders Attorney General to investigate inmate death at Virginia supermax prison
- VA Attorney General’s Office takes over Wallens Ridge prisoner death investigation
- VADOC confirms 2nd homicide in Wise County prisons in 2025
- Former inmate pleads for change after McKay homicide, officer reprimanded
- Spanberger announces prison reform following death of officer, inmates
- Gov. Spanberger announces reforms to Virginia's prison system
- Former Wallens Ridge inmates allege starvation, beatings and inhumane conditions