Deaths in Custody
Died in prison

Christopher Howell

51 years old · died June 19, 2020 · Lake Correctional Institution, Lake County, Florida

Christopher Howell, 51, died on June 19, 2020, while held at Lake Correctional Institution, a Florida state prison in Lake County. The Florida Department of Corrections first described his death as the result of a use-of-force incident and said he was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement later said its investigation showed the death resulted from actions taken by a correctional officer, who was arrested in November 2020. The Miami Herald, citing interviews with people held at the prison and a prison officer, reported that he was handcuffed in his cell when an officer beat him while two other officers watched without intervening, an account not confirmed by official findings. Protesters rallied at the Lake County Courthouse demanding justice after his death.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff. Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigators say a correctional officer's actions caused Christopher Howell's death and the officer was charged with murder, while the Miami Herald, citing other prisoners and a prison officer, reports that an officer beat him while he was handcuffed.

Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Florida Department of Law Enforcement (outside investigators); Miami Herald (reporters); other prisoners and a prison officer.

News reports (12)

Read the Florida reportSee on the Florida mapSee on the national mapAll records

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