Christopher Lopez
Christopher Lopez, a 35-year-old man who had schizophrenia, died at San Carlos Correctional Facility in Pueblo, Colorado, in March 2013. According to a lawsuit brought by his mother, Juanita Lopez, his death from severe hyponatremia was preventable and may have been linked to psychotropic medication, and she says staff left seizures in the intake area untreated. The Colorado Department of Corrections agreed to a $3 million settlement and said it does not condone the employees' actions. His family's lawyer, David Lane, said the settlement should make clear that people held in prisons and jails must be treated as human beings.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). His family's lawsuit says staff left his seizures untreated and that the severe hyponatremia that killed him was preventable, possibly tied to psychotropic medication.
Reported by: family's lawsuit (attorney David Lane) (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued over his death at San Carlos Correctional Facility, and the Colorado Department of Corrections agreed to a $3 million settlement.