Died in jail or a lockup
Donald Cooper
Donald Cooper died in 2006 while held at the Shelby County Jail in Tennessee. A claim filed against the county says he showed signs of mental distress that staff did not take seriously, and that jailers found him hanging in his cell. The claim also says he was sprayed with a chemical irritant and later found unresponsive. The family settled with the county for $7,500 in 2010.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). A claim against the county says jail staff did not take Donald Cooper's signs of mental distress seriously before jailers found him hanging in his cell.
Reported by: claim filed against the county.
Lawsuit: His family sued Shelby County and settled for $7,500 in 2010.