Bryce Hilzer
Bryce Hilzer, a 33-year-old man from West Richland, died on December 16, 2025, while held at the Benton County jail in Kennewick. His family called police to their home worried about him, and he was taken to a hospital and then placed in a cell at the jail, where the jail said he was being monitored when he was found unresponsive around 11 a.m. The Regional Special Investigations Unit said toxicology showed acute fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and methadone intoxication, found no physical injuries, and classed the death as accidental. Family members have said he should have stayed in the hospital rather than be jailed, and a GoFundMe describes him as the "sweetest kid you ever would have met."
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (neglect alleged). The Regional Special Investigations Unit attributes the death to acute fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and methadone intoxication, while family members say he should have been hospitalized rather than held in the jail.
Reported by: Regional Special Investigations Unit (outside investigators); family members.