Deandre Whitehead
Deandre Whitehead, 38, died on January 25, 2023, while held at the Maryland Reception, Diagnostic and Classification Center in Baltimore. His wife, Latreice Whitehead, and his attorney, Marci T. Johnson, who had known him since he was 18, said he had no medical issues before his incarceration. They said he lost consciousness and passed out twice in the days before his death, saw a nurse who gave him Tylenol, and was not seen by a doctor or taken to a hospital. The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services said staff later found he needed medical attention and took him to the medical unit, where paramedics pronounced him dead, and that detectives found no immediate signs of foul play. The department said the autopsy found natural causes, while his wife said she still wants answers about why he was not taken to a hospital.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The corrections department says an autopsy found natural causes, but his attorney and wife say he saw only a nurse and was given Tylenol, was not seen by a doctor, and was not sent to a hospital after passing out.
Reported by: Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (the agency that held him); Mark Vernarelli, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services spokesman (the agency that held him); his attorney; his wife.