Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Christon Collins

27 years old · died March 15, 2024 · DeKalb County Jail, DeKalb County, Georgia

Christon Collins was a U.S. Army veteran whose mother, Dr. Jonia Milburn, says he struggled with PTSD and mental illness after his service and that she repeatedly sought treatment for him. He was held at the DeKalb County Jail in Georgia in early 2024, and died in March of that year after collapsing in the jail and later dying at a hospital. Jail officials said he had a medical emergency in his cell, and the district attorney attributed his death to fentanyl-laced drugs, while his family and attorney Ben Crump say jail video shows him in distress for hours without aid. Autopsy findings conflict, and the sheriff's office has declined to comment citing possible litigation.

Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The district attorney says an autopsy found fentanyl and the sheriff's office cited a toxicology report, but his family and attorney dispute those findings and say jail staff left him on the floor for more than three hours without medical aid.

Reported by: DeKalb County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); DeKalb County Jail officials (toxicology report) (the agency that held him); DeKalb County District Attorney Sherry Boston (outside investigators); county medical examiner autopsy; Emory Hospital independent autopsy (family-commissioned) (medical examiner or coroner); family, including mother Jonia Milburn, and attorney Ben Crump (family or their lawyers); local TV station video report (reporters).

Lawsuit: His family filed a federal civil rights and wrongful death lawsuit over his death, and the sources report no settlement or award amount.

News reports (21)

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Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.