Dustin Lee Herbst
Dustin Lee Herbst, 29, of Sioux City, died on January 28, 2018, while held at the Sioux County Jail in Orange City, Iowa, where he was in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. Jail staff found him unresponsive in his cell and gave emergency aid, but he was pronounced dead. The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation ruled his death a suicide. His estate's lawsuit says jail staff knew of his suicide risk and did nothing for about an hour after he blocked his cell window, and the defendants deny liability and have sought to strike parts of the petition. His cousin Malinda Benoit, who administers his estate, is named as executor.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The Iowa DCI ruled his death a suicide by hanging, but his estate's lawsuit says jail staff knew of his suicide risk and did nothing for about an hour after he blocked his cell window.
Reported by: Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (outside investigators); estate of Dustin Herbst (lawsuit petition) (family or their lawyers); Sioux County Sheriff (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His estate sued Sioux County and jail staff over his death, alleging they ignored his known suicide risk, and the defendants deny liability.