Deshawn Lamont Coley
Deshawn Lamont Coley, 39, died on May 2, 2017, while held at the Forsyth County jail in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His sister said his only health problem was asthma, and his spouse, Daniela Etienne, said he was fine when she saw him that Monday. The sheriff's office said he had a medical episode and became unresponsive, and an autopsy attributed his death to exacerbation of asthma. His family says he had severe asthma and is concerned the jail's medical staff did not provide adequate care. The State Bureau of Investigation reviewed the case.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The chief medical examiner's autopsy attributed the death to exacerbation of asthma, while his family says he had severe asthma and is concerned the jail's medical staff did not provide adequate care, and the State Bureau of Investigation is reviewing the case.
Reported by: Forsyth County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); North Carolina chief medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his family; State Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators).