David L. Bissonnette
David Bissonnette, 38, died on November 22, 2016, while held at Northwest State Correctional Facility in Franklin County, Vermont. His lawyer said he had a 12-year-old daughter and "had a lot of life in front of him." His family's lawsuit says he developed bacterial endocarditis and repeatedly reported chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness, which staff attributed to withdrawal, and that he died hours after an ambulance took him to a hospital. The lawsuit alleges negligent medical care by the Department of Corrections and its health contractor, and the corrections commissioner declined to comment on the pending case.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). His family's lawsuit, filed by attorney James Valente, says staff attributed his chest pain, shortness of breath and dizziness to withdrawal and did not get him proper medical care for bacterial endocarditis, which the lawsuit identifies as the cause of death.
Reported by: his family's lawsuit (attorney James Valente) (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued the Vermont Department of Corrections and its health contractor, alleging negligent medical care, and the case was pending with no reported settlement or award.