Colton Sabo
Colton Sabo, 31, was held at the McHenry County Jail in Illinois. His father, Todd Sabo, said he talked to him three days before he died and that he was "very happy, upbeat," and his mother, Sara Meyer, said she misses hearing his voice and seeing his smile. Sources say he was found unresponsive in his cell on July 28, 2023, was taken to a hospital, was placed on a ventilator, and died on July 29. The family's lawsuit says a seizure interrupted his breathing, that jail staff delayed help during it, and that his medical care was inadequate; the McHenry County coroner, Michael Rein, listed the cause and manner of death as undetermined, and the sheriff's office did not initially release his name or details of his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner could not determine the cause or manner of death, while his family's lawsuit says a seizure interrupted his breathing and that jail staff delayed help during it.
Reported by: McHenry County Coroner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued McHenry County and jail medical staff over his death, alleging that jail staff delayed help during a seizure and that his medical care was inadequate, and no payment amount has been reported.
News reports (5)
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Cause of McHenry County jail inmate’s death is ‘undetermined,’ coroner rules
- Cause Of McHenry Co. Inmate's Death 'Undetermined': Coroner
- McHenry County Jail passes state inspection following deaths of 4 inmates in 2023
- Lawsuit: McHenry County jail inmate had known history of seizures, was denied immediate help before death