Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Cory Ulmer

41 years old · died June 21, 2024 · Cook County Jail, Cook County, Illinois

Cory Ulmer, 41, was a son, brother, nephew and cousin, and his stepfather said that when they last spoke he was talking about life and wanting to find a job. He died in June 2024 while held at Cook County Jail, less than two days after he was taken there for medical treatment, according to a family lawsuit. The lawsuit says guards beat him, that staff injected him with sedatives and placed him briefly in a restraint chair, and that medical staff withheld his psychiatric medication. The Sheriff's Office first said he suffered a medical emergency, and the Cook County medical examiner ruled his death a homicide after an autopsy found a brain hemorrhage, while the Illinois State Police opened an investigation. An internal review recommended firing two employees, but the officers remained employed while the grievance process continued, and prosecutors declined to bring charges.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled Cory Ulmer's death a homicide, while his stepfather's lawsuit says officers beat him, injected him with sedatives and restrained him in a chair; the sheriff's office first said he suffered a medical emergency, and his family's lawsuit also says medical staff withheld his psychiatric medication.

Reported by: Cook County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his stepfather's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Cook County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him).

Lawsuit: His stepfather filed a lawsuit over Cory Ulmer's death at Cook County Jail, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.

News reports (5)

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