Daniel Byrd
Daniel Byrd, 42, died in his cell at the Macomb County Jail in November 2015, about three weeks after he was taken into custody. His family knew of his addiction and had hoped the jail would keep him safe; his niece Malianda Odisho said she wished she had been able to say goodbye. The cause of death was listed as intoxication from multiple prescription medications, and the family's attorney has questioned how he obtained methadone, a drug the jail does not prescribe. In 2017 the family filed a $10 million lawsuit against Macomb County, the jail and its medical contractor, alleging medical staff should have hospitalized him, and the jail has not explained how the overdose happened.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's attorney questioned how he obtained methadone, and their lawsuit says medical staff should have hospitalized him rather than leave him in his cell after his cellmate warned officers he was getting worse.
Reported by: his family's attorney and lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a $10 million lawsuit in 2017 against Macomb County, the jail and its medical contractor, alleging medical staff should have hospitalized him; no settlement or award amount is reported.