Damaris Rodriguez
Damaris Rodriguez was a mother of five who lived with bipolar disorder and psychosis, according to her family. Her husband called 911 for help during a mental health crisis, and she was taken to the South Correctional Entity Jail in Des Moines, Washington. Her family's lawsuit says she was not taken for medical care during her four days in custody, was not fed, and was found dead in her cell on January 4, 2018. The King County Medical Examiner ruled her death sudden and natural, which the jail's medical contractor, NaphCare, cited, while the family alleges that preventable medical failures caused it.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The King County Medical Examiner, cited by NaphCare, ruled the death sudden and natural, while her family's lawsuit says jail staff withheld medical care and food during her four days in custody, leading to ketoacidosis and water intoxication.
Reported by: NaphCare (the agency that held her); King County Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family filed a lawsuit alleging that medical neglect and starvation led to her death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.