Dion Watts
Dion Watts, a father of several children and a Richmond, Kentucky man, died on January 6, 2026, after an incident at the Madison County Detention Center, where he was held. According to his family and their attorneys, he was in a mental health crisis, and they say jailers attacked him and that his injuries, including a broken ankle and tight handcuffs, contributed to his death. A police report describes a physical altercation and acknowledges that jailers used knee and palm heel strikes. He was taken to the University of Kentucky Medical Center, where he died. The medical cause of death has not been determined, and the Kentucky State Police are investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (neglect alleged). Attorneys Akil Secret and Noel Caldwell say jailers failed to de-escalate Watts's mental health crisis, attacked him, and that his broken ankle and tight handcuffs caused his death, while the medical cause of death is still unknown.
Reported by: Attorneys Akil Secret and Noel Caldwell, and family (family or their lawyers).