Dean Hoffmann
Dean Hoffmann, a man who had struggled with schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder, died by suicide in June 2023 while held in solitary confinement at Waupun prison in Wisconsin. His daughter, Megan Hoffmann Kolb, said he was often charismatic and outgoing, able to start conversations with anyone and to give people his full attention. The Dodge County medical examiner ruled the death a suicide by hanging. The family's wrongful death lawsuit says he did not consistently receive his prescribed medication, and that staff failed to provide proper monitoring and care. Investigators said he received no medication in the three days before his death but could not determine whether staff withheld it or he refused it; the sheriff said staff committed policy violations that did not rise to a criminal level.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The Dodge County medical examiner ruled it a suicide by hanging, and Sheriff Dale Schmidt's investigation found staff committed policy violations but none criminal, while a family wrongful death lawsuit says he did not consistently receive his schizophrenia and other medications.
Reported by: Dodge County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Dodge County Sheriff Dale Schmidt's investigation (outside investigators); his daughter and family's wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His estate filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Wisconsin prison officials alleging he did not consistently receive his psychiatric medication; no settlement or award amount has been reported.
Sources (4)
- Waupun warden, eight others, charged with crimes over inmate deaths
- Relatives of inmates who died in Waupun prison shocked charges aren't being filed in their cases
- What we know about the charges against 9 Waupun employees, alleging abuse of prisoners
- Daughter of man who died in Wisconsin prison pushes forward through despair