Chris Patten
Chris Patten died on August 31, 2022, while held at Lewis prison, a state prison run by the Arizona Department of Corrections. His mother, Debra Patten, says an official determination ruled his death an accidental overdose caused by fentanyl intoxication, and that a medical examiner's report confirmed fentanyl. She says the prison did not notify her of his death and had still not provided the investigative report four months later. She has said she never expected to bury her son and is working for reform so other families do not face the same loss.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). His mother, Debra Patten, says officials ruled the death an accidental fentanyl overdose and say the prison did not notify her of his death or provide the investigative report four months later.
Reported by: his mother, Debra Patten (family or their lawyers); Arizona Department of Corrections (the agency that held him).