Blair Medford
Blair Medford, 37, was the father of five children, four of them minors, and his sister said he could tell a story like no other and befriended any pet he met. He died on February 29, 2024, at the Wake County Public Safety Center, where state records describe a hanging from a sheet tied to the ceiling after he had covered the view into his cell; other men held there found him during recreation time. State investigators found that detention officers passed his cell four times over two hours without checking on him, and the sheriff later fired three officers and promised body cameras for corrections staff. His family in Gastonia said no one told them about the failure in supervision, and his mother said she wants to prevent other families from going through the same loss.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). State investigators found detention officers passed his cell four times over two hours without checking on him, and his family in Gastonia says no one told them about the supervision failure.
Reported by: state records; his family in Gastonia (family or their lawyers).