Cody Shotwell Brown
Cody Shotwell Brown, 26, of Stanley, died on May 27, 2021, after being held at the Page County Jail in Virginia. Officials said he died of a fentanyl overdose, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the sheriff said the death was under investigation by the Virginia State Police. His mother, LaDonna J. Sampson, sued the county, the sheriff and jail staff in January 2022 for wrongful death, alleging that fentanyl entered the jail, naloxone was not available, and guards did not check cells as required. His estate's attorney has said he received the fentanyl from a visitor or another person at the jail, and the sheriff declined to comment on pending litigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (neglect alleged). The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner attributes the death to fentanyl intoxication, and his mother's wrongful-death lawsuit says fentanyl entered the jail, naloxone was unavailable, and guards did not check cells as required; the estate's notice of intent to sue alleges he received the fentanyl from a visitor or inmate.
Reported by: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his mother, LaDonna J. Sampson, in her wrongful-death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); the estate, through attorney Kelly A. Cournoyer (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother, LaDonna J. Sampson, sued Page County, the sheriff and jail staff in January 2022 for wrongful death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.