Denarieya Smith
Denarieya Letrex Smith, whom his parents called DL, was 30 years old. He had asked to be moved closer to home and worried that he would die at William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility, and his parents say he had grown and was sorry for his past. Early on October 1, 2022, he was stabbed in a dorm there; his father says he cried out for help and no guards were nearby. His family learned of his death from a text sent by another man held at the prison, and his father gave the eulogy at his funeral on October 7.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). His father says Smith was stabbed by another inmate during a fight and cried for help while no guards were around, and an inmate's text to the family said no security was present in the dorm.
Reported by: his father, Alfagus Smith (family or their lawyers); another inmate's text to the family (witnesses); Equal Justice Initiative (advocates).