Dennis Austin
Dennis Austin, 48, was held at the State Correctional Institution in Albion, Pennsylvania, where he was treated in the infirmary after being diagnosed with lung and bone cancer in July 2010. He died on January 1, 2012, and Erie County Coroner Lyle Cook attributed his death to stage-four metastatic lung cancer. His sister, Paula Thomas of Erie, said post-mortem photos showed bedsores covering much of his body, and she believes the bedsores caused or contributed to his death. A former prison guard said conditions in the infirmary were poor and that neglect was a pattern there. The Department of Corrections did not comment on the guard's account.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Erie County coroner attributed the death to stage-four metastatic lung cancer, while his sister Paula Thomas says bedsores covering his body caused or contributed to his death and a former guard described poor infirmary conditions.
Reported by: Erie County Coroner Lyle Cook (medical examiner or coroner); his sister Paula Thomas (family or their lawyers); a former prison guard.