Darlene Martin
Darlene Martin, who was 66 when she entered the Michigan prison system in December 2013, was held at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Her son Robert's wrongful death lawsuit says officials turned off the water in her cell as punishment, and that she became severely dehydrated and suffered brain damage after being hospitalized in June 2014. She was paroled in April 2016 and died in October 2017 of respiratory failure, severe dehydration, liver failure and renal failure, which the lawsuit links to her treatment in prison. The Michigan Department of Corrections and its healthcare contractor agreed to a $1.25 million settlement.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. Her son Robert's wrongful death lawsuit, settled for $1.25 million, says officials turned off the water in her cell as punishment, leaving her severely dehydrated and brain-damaged after her June 2014 hospitalization.
Reported by: her son Robert, in a wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her son Robert sued in a wrongful death lawsuit, and the Michigan Department of Corrections and its healthcare contractor agreed to a $1.25 million settlement.