Desmond Whisonat
Desmond Whisonat was held in the juvenile division of the Mecklenburg County detention center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Staff found him unresponsive in his cell on November 21, 2020, and he was pronounced dead at a hospital. WBTV, reporting on court filings and sworn testimony in his mother's lawsuit, describes his death as a suicide by hanging with a bed sheet. The lawsuit alleges that jail officials falsified observation records to make it appear he had been properly checked while he was on suicide alert, and that new video and logs do not match those records. Desmond left a note in pencil in his cell saying he was sorry and asking his family to be told.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). WBTV reports the death was a hanging with a bed sheet, and his mother's lawsuit alleges staff falsified observation records while he was on suicide alert, so the official account is contested.
Reported by: WBTV reporting on court filings and sworn testimony (reporters); his mother's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother sued over his death, alleging that jail officials falsified observation records while he was on suicide alert.