Derrick Willis
Derrick Willis, 52, was the father of three children and the brother of three siblings, and his aunt, who raised him, said the family is taking his death hard. He died on July 11, 2026, in his cell at the Pamlico County Detention Center in North Carolina, after a medical emergency. His aunt, Vennie Hembry, said he had been sick for about two weeks and had called family two days before he died to say no one at the jail was getting him the help he needed. Family members said other people held at the jail reported that an emergency button was malfunctioning and that people banged on the door for several minutes before he died. The Pamlico County Sheriff's Office said he visited the nurse twice that Friday and that emergency buttons work in every housing block, and the State Bureau of Investigation is investigating his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The Pamlico County Sheriff's Office says he had a medical emergency and visited the nurse twice that Friday, while his family says he was sick for two weeks, that he told them no one at the jail was getting him help, and that the emergency button malfunctioned.
Reported by: Pamlico County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); family.
News reports (6)
- SBI investigates inmate death at Pamlico County Detention Center after medical emergency
- In-Custody Death at Pamlico County Detention Center Under Investigation
- Family of Pamlico County inmate that passed away speaks about his death, demands for answers
- SBI investigating death at Pamlico County Detention Center
- Candlelight vigil held after Pamlico County inmate dies
- Candlelight vigil held for inmate that died at Pamlico County Detention Center