Christopher Wagner
Christopher Wagner, also known as CJ, was held at the Rynning Unit of the Arizona State Prison Complex-Eyman in Florence, Arizona, when he was critically injured in a fight on April 26, 2026. His family says he was deeply loved and was a person, not a number. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry says the fight was gang-related, involved multiple people, and that he died at Chandler Regional Medical Center on May 2, 2026; the family says he was declared dead on April 28 after doctors reported unrecoverable brain injuries, and the department has not confirmed that date. The department says his death is being investigated as a homicide by its Office of the Inspector General, and the family says the agency has not been transparent.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed). The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry says a gang-related fight involving multiple inmates caused the death and is investigating it as a homicide, while the family says the agency has not confirmed the death or been transparent.
Reported by: Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (the agency that held him); ADCRR Office of the Inspector General (outside investigators); family (Michell MacPherson and Frank MacPherson) (family or their lawyers).