Denise Huffer
Denise Huffer, 62, died on February 1, 2018, while held at the Snohomish County Jail in Snohomish County, Washington, about two weeks after she was booked there. Her sister, Tracy Gielski, and brother, Jeffrey Williams, pursued the case after her death. Her family's lawsuit says jail staff failed to keep drugs away from her, ignored signs that she was intoxicated, and left her in her cell for hours before responding. The defense argued she had methamphetamine in the jail, a claim the family disputed. The county settled for $50,000 without admitting fault.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The cause is listed as methamphetamine overdose, but her family's lawsuit alleges jail staff ignored warning signs of intoxication and left her in her cell for hours before responding, and the county settled without admitting fault.
Reported by: Snohomish County Jail (the agency that held her); her family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); court documents.
Lawsuit: Her family sued and Snohomish County settled for $50,000 without admitting fault; no federal court docket was provided for this case.