Brandon Ellingson
Brandon Ellingson was a 20-year-old college student from Iowa. On May 31, 2014, while he was handcuffed, a Missouri state trooper was taking him by boat on Lake of the Ozarks toward a station when a wave knocked him overboard. His body was found about 70 feet down the following day. A jury ruled the death accidental, but after his family pressed for years, including his father Craig and mother Sherry Ellingson, a special prosecutor charged the trooper with involuntary manslaughter. His family said his death exposed flaws in the justice system.
Cause of death, as reported: Died in an accident (disputed). A jury ruled the 2014 death accidental, but after his family pressed for years a special prosecutor charged the trooper with involuntary manslaughter.
Reported by: jury; special prosecutor.