Dakota Smithers
Dakota Smithers was 25 years old when he died in February 2020 while held at the Bibb County Jail in Macon. His family says he died by suicide, and a Macon Telegraph report says he had shown signs of distress before his death. The family sued jail staff over the death, and the Telegraph reports that the suit was dismissed earlier this year. His father, Steve Smithers, has spoken publicly about the death and has said the problem of suicides in jails appears to be ongoing.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). His family sued jail staff, alleging they failed to respond to signs of his distress before he died by suicide at the Bibb County Jail in February 2020, and the suit was dismissed earlier this year.
Reported by: family.
Lawsuit: His family sued jail staff over his death at the Bibb County Jail, and the suit was dismissed without any payment.