Ed Zaleski
Ed Zaleski, 53, was a father of four who had worked as a tow-truck driver, landscaper and snow plower, and his family described him as intelligent, articulate and funny. He was found dead in his cell at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia hours after arriving there, having told intake staff he had recently used heroin and was in withdrawal. The Philadelphia medical examiner had not ruled on the cause or manner of death, and toxicology results were pending. His family is seeking answers and plans a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the prison's medical provider.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner has not ruled on the cause or manner of death and toxicology is pending, while his family is seeking answers and plans a wrongful death lawsuit against the city and the prison medical provider, alleging he was not properly cared for after telling intake staff he was in withdrawal.
Reported by: Philadelphia medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Ed Zaleski's family (family or their lawyers).