Chad Neyland
Chad Neyland, 46, died on June 12, 2022, after falling from a mezzanine railing at the Orleans Justice Center in New Orleans, less than two days after he was booked there. The Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said its investigation found he jumped intentionally while withdrawing from heroin. His family's federal lawsuit, filed in May 2023 against the sheriff, Wellpath and employees, says deputies ignored a nurse's recommendation to keep him on the lower level and did not intervene as he climbed. The lawsuit also says medical staff refused him detoxification medication. His son is pursuing the lawsuit, and his father, Richard Neyland, could not be reached for comment.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office investigation concluded he intentionally jumped while withdrawing from heroin, but his family's federal lawsuit says staff ignored a nurse's recommendation to keep him on the lower level, failed to intervene as he climbed, and refused detoxification medication.
Reported by: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit in May 2023 against the Orleans Parish sheriff, Wellpath and employees over his death, and no payment amount has been reported.