Derrick Burroughs
Derrick Burroughs died by suicide in his one-person cell at a Kalamazoo County, Michigan, jail on March 5, 2012. Documents obtained under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act say he tied a bed sheet to a ventilation grate and wrapped it around his neck. An internal probe found that a deputy had not completed required rounds and had not made Burroughs remove a sheet and towel that blocked the deputy's view into the cell; the deputy was initially fired and later reinstated. The estate's wrongful death lawsuit alleges that Burroughs' constitutional rights were violated, and the county settled the suit.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Documents filed in U.S. District Court and an internal probe say he hanged himself with a bed sheet tied to a ventilation grate; the internal probe found a deputy skipped required rounds and let a sheet and towel block the view into his cell, and his estate's wrongful death lawsuit alleges constitutional violations, which the county settled.
Reported by: documents filed in U.S. District Court in Grand Rapids (court); an internal probe; Burroughs' estate, in its wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His estate sued Kalamazoo County in federal court in Grand Rapids, alleging violations of his constitutional rights, and the county settled the case.