Cecelia Sypka
Cecelia Sypka, 44, was held at the Wake County jail in North Carolina, where she was going through heroin withdrawal and had been vomiting and had diarrhea for three days. She had a heart attack and was taken to WakeMed, where she died on April 29, 2015. A state autopsy attributed her death to withdrawal complications and dehydration. Her family's lawsuit says jail medical staff missed clear signs of severe dehydration and should have sent her to the hospital sooner.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The state autopsy attributed her death to withdrawal complications and dehydration, and her family's lawsuit says jail medical staff missed clear signs of severe dehydration and should have sent her to the hospital sooner.
Reported by: state autopsy; her family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family sued over her death in Wake County jail, alleging medical staff missed signs of severe dehydration, and the reporting does not state a settlement or award amount.