Barbara Stillwell
Barbara Stillwell died in February 2023, a day after she was booked into the Lane County Jail in Oregon. Her husband, Perry Stillwell, and her estate have sued, alleging she overdosed in her cell in the booking area after obtaining fentanyl and methamphetamine there, and that jail and contracted medical staff failed to monitor her and delayed her care. The county denies that she obtained drugs in jail and says her own conduct caused her death. The case is ongoing, and in March 2026 a federal judge dismissed the medical contractor Wellpath from the suit while claims against Lane County and several health care workers continue.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). Her husband Perry Stillwell's lawsuit alleges she obtained fentanyl and methamphetamine in her booking-area cell and overdosed there, and that jail staff and contracted medical workers failed to monitor drugs and delayed essential care; the county denies she obtained drugs in jail and says her own conduct caused her death.
Reported by: Perry Stillwell's wrongful death and negligence lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Lane County (the agency that held her).
Lawsuit: Her husband and estate sued Lane County and Wellpath over her February 2023 death at the Lane County Jail; the case is ongoing, with Wellpath seeking dismissal because of its bankruptcy, and no settlement or award has been reported.