David Hennis
David Hennis, 31, of Vineland, was found hanging in an infirmary holding cell at the Cumberland County Jail in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on July 30, 2014, while he was held there before trial. His family's lawsuit, filed by attorney Conrad Benedetto, says he banged on his cell door for half an hour before anyone found him and that officers did not complete the required health and suicide screening when he was booked. His aunt, Patricia Hughes, said on behalf of the family that they wished better efforts had been made to protect the mental and physical health of people held there. The jail has not commented on the suit, which seeks damages over $1 million.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's lawsuit, filed by attorney Conrad Benedetto, says he was found hanging in a holding cell after banging on the door for half an hour, and that officers failed to complete required health and suicide screening at booking; the jail has not commented on the suit.
Reported by: Hennis family, through a lawsuit filed by attorney Conrad Benedetto (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Cumberland County, the warden and unidentified corrections officers over his 2014 death at the Cumberland County Jail, seeking damages over $1 million; no settlement or award amount is reported.