Brian Rodenas
Brian Rodenas, 27, died by suicide on May 2, 2023, while held in solitary confinement in the maximum security unit at the Adult Correctional Institutions in Rhode Island. His family's federal lawsuit, filed with cooperating ACLU lawyers, says he hanged himself with a bed sheet. The lawsuit alleges he had a history of severe mental illness that prison officials knew about, that he repeatedly told staff he intended to harm himself, and that he was kept in solitary without steps to reduce the risk to him.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). His family's federal lawsuit says he hanged himself with a bed sheet in solitary confinement despite known severe mental illness and repeated warnings to staff that he would harm himself, and that staff did not act to reduce the risk.
Reported by: his family's federal lawsuit (ACLU cooperating lawyers) (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit alleging that Rhode Island prison officials knew of his severe mental illness and failed to prevent his suicide in solitary confinement, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.