Daniel Lee Wright
Daniel Lee Wright, 45, was held at Mule Creek State Prison near Ione, California. A federal civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of his three children says he hanged himself from a cell vent on November 2, 2014, while other people held there were out in the yard. The suit says he had a long history of mental illness and suicide attempts and alleges that staff were deliberately indifferent to his medical needs. A suicide prevention expert's report cited in the case criticized the prison's treatment planning for him, and corrections officials declined to comment.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The civil rights lawsuit filed for his three children says he hanged himself from a cell vent and that staff were deliberately indifferent to his known mental illness and suicide risk, which the suit's suicide prevention expert also criticized; corrections officials declined to comment.
Reported by: civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of his three children; suicide prevention expert retained in the lawsuit.
Lawsuit: His three children sued in federal court over his death at Mule Creek State Prison, alleging deliberate indifference to his medical needs; no settlement or award amount is reported.