Chauncey Elmer Toombs
Chauncey Elmer Toombs III, 51, died on April 13, 2022, while held at the Kaufman County Jail in Texas. According to the Dallas Observer, he died hours after he was placed in a suicide watch cell. His family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Kaufman County and Southern Health Partners Inc., the company that provides medical services at the jail, arguing that jailers and medical staff failed to protect him despite clear warning signs of suicide risk. Neither Southern Health Partners nor the jail responded to requests for comment. The family said they hope the lawsuit will bring some closure and help prevent similar deaths.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). His family's wrongful death lawsuit says he died by suicide hours after being placed in a suicide watch cell, and that jailers and medical staff failed to protect him despite clear warning signs.
Reported by: family, through a wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Kaufman County and Southern Health Partners Inc., which provides medical services at the jail, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.