Benjamin Wash
Benjamin Wash died by hanging with a bedsheet in his cell at Riverside Regional Jail in November 2017, two days after he was held there. His father, Raymond Wash, said he did not understand why his son was not watched more closely. Records reviewed by the Associated Press and medical examiner records list the death as a suicide, and the review describes a long history of drug addiction and an earlier suicide attempt. The jail was later placed on probation for three years over his death and another suicide.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The medical examiner records show he died by hanging with a bedsheet, and his father says he does not understand why jail staff did not watch him more closely.
Reported by: medical examiner records; AP review of jail records (reporters).