Benjamin Mallard
Benjamin Mallard, 40, died on February 9, 2019, at the Vance County jail in North Carolina, where he was being held. Accounts say he had spent three days unable to keep food down before he collapsed in a dorm, and the cause of death was given as the effects of opioid withdrawal. A broken intercom meant another man held at the jail had to pound on the door to get help. State investigators reported gaps between checks on people in the dorm as long as 89 minutes.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. State investigators found gaps of up to 89 minutes between checks at the Vance County jail, and a broken intercom meant another inmate had to pound on the door for help while Benjamin Mallard was in opioid withdrawal.
Reported by: state investigators.