Douglas Alan Cunningham
Douglas Alan Cunningham, 79, died on October 29, 2022, at Southern Regional Jail in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, after being taken by ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Court filings say he was attacked by cellmates, and one reportedly jumped from a bunk onto him and broke several of his ribs. The state medical examiner classified the death as a homicide, citing coronary artery disease and the stress of his injuries, while the prosecutor said the case was less clear-cut than gunshot or stabbing homicides because of his health conditions. One of the two men who shared his cell has entered a plea agreement, and the other has been charged in connection with the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide after Cunningham was attacked by fellow detainees in his cell, listing coronary artery disease and the stress of his injuries as causes; the cellmate later pleaded in the case.
Reported by: West Virginia State Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield; criminal complaints.
Sources (5)
- Court records: Two inmates charged in inmate's 2022 death at Southern Regional Jail
- Two Southern Regional Jail inmates charged in death of elderly cellmate
- 2 men charged with killing cellmate in West Virginia jail
- West Virginia inmate enters plea in death of cellmate at Southern Regional Jail
- Lucas Matthew Wagnar: West Virginia inmate enters plea for killing 79-year-old cellmate in SRJ