Christopher Lapp
Christopher Lapp, a 62-year-old nuclear physicist with a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, died in May 2001 in his cell at the Alexandria jail in Virginia, where he was held before sentencing. His family, who said he was the son of the scientist Ralph Lapp, reported that he had left a note for his daughter. The cause of death, suicide by hanging, is stated by the family in a federal lawsuit, which says his medication was stopped and a federal medical prison refused to admit him despite a judge's order. The family blames officials and doctors for his death, and those claims are contested in the lawsuit.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Christopher Lapp's family, in a federal lawsuit, says his medication was stopped and a federal medical prison refused to admit him despite a judge's order, and that these errors led to his suicide in his cell.
Reported by: family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit over his death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.