Edward Robinson III
Edward Robinson III, 32, of Waukegan, was described by his family as a beautiful person who had a diagnosed mental illness and needed treatment rather than jail. He was held in the administrative segregation unit of the Lake County Jail in September 2018, and jail video reviewed by ABC7 Chicago shows he was seen lethargic around 6 a.m. while a nurse did not arrive until about 9:30 a.m.; he was pronounced dead at a hospital that afternoon. His mother, Sandra Raftie, said deputies first told her he had strangled himself, a claim she later learned was false. A coroner's inquest later found natural causes, after an earlier autopsy had listed hypothermia with a body temperature of 84 degrees, and his mother's attorney disputes that finding, saying officers left him for hours without medical help. The sheriff has said there was no evidence that staff or other people held there caused the death, and a Major Crimes Task Force review was under way.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Lake County coroner's inquest found natural causes after an earlier autopsy had listed hypothermia, while Robinson's mother's lawyer disputes that finding and says correctional officers left him for hours without medical help.
Reported by: Lake County coroner's office and inquest jury (medical examiner or coroner); Robinson's mother's lawyer (family or their lawyers).
News reports (5)
- 2 correctional officers demoted, 2 placed on leave after death of Lake County jail inmate
- Lake County Jail Death: Chiefs Demoted, Officers On Leave
- Edward Robinson dies in custody of Lake County Jail
- Lake County Jail video released after Edward Robinson III dies in custody
- Detainee Died Of 'Natural Causes' At Lake County Jail: Inquest