Charlie Peterson
Charlie Peterson, 78, had been living at the Rock Found center in Greeley, where its director, Cheryl Cook, called him a friend and family member. He was released from the Weld County Jail on March 30, 2020, and died two days later at a hospital. Family and friends said he was very sick when he left the jail, and the ACLU of Colorado, in a federal lawsuit, says he was likely released because of that illness. Cook and the ACLU say his death may have been caused by health complications linked to COVID-19, but the Weld County Coroner's Office did not respond to questions, and the sheriff's office declined to say whether he had symptoms while in custody.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The ACLU of Colorado says the illness that may have been COVID-19 is what led to his release, but no source has ruled on how he died.
Reported by: ACLU of Colorado (advocates); Cheryl Cook, executive director of the Rock Found center.
Lawsuit: The ACLU of Colorado filed a federal lawsuit over Charlie Peterson's death after his release from the Weld County Jail.