Eddie Nelson Jr.
Eddie Nelson Jr. was held at the Muscogee County Jail in Columbus, Georgia, when he was beaten to death in September 2020 by another person held in the same dorm, according to Muscogee County Sheriff Donna Tompkins. A deputy responding to reports of a fight found the attack underway, and Nelson died of his injuries despite medical aid. The sheriff said her office is conducting an internal review of how the other person was classified and housed. A wrongful death lawsuit filed days later against Tompkins and other senior jail leaders alleges the cellmate killed him, and a judge has declined to dismiss it.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The sheriff's office says another person held in the same dorm beat Nelson to death, and a wrongful death lawsuit against Sheriff Donna Tompkins and other senior jail leaders says a cellmate killed him and alleges the jail failed to protect him.
Reported by: Muscogee County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held them); wrongful death lawsuit against Sheriff Donna Tompkins and other jail leaders (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Muscogee County Sheriff Donna Tompkins and other senior jail leaders in a wrongful death lawsuit, which a judge has declined to dismiss, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.