Fernando Martinez Jr.
Fernando Martinez Jr. was held at the Clark County Detention Center in Las Vegas in February 2023 while he waited for a transfer to a state psychiatric hospital. His mother, Sonia Esparza, who raised him alone and cared for him through his schizophrenia, has said she is grieving deeply and that they were very close. His family's lawsuit says he lost 64 pounds over 77 days without adequate food, fluids or medical care, and that he was found unresponsive in his cell after dinner. The Clark County coroner's office attributed his death to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a finding his attorney disputes.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The Clark County coroner ruled the death natural from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, but the family's lawsuit says staff starved him and denied adequate food, fluids and medical care while he waited for a state psychiatric transfer.
Reported by: Clark County coroner's office (medical examiner or coroner); the family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His lawsuit alleges he lost 64 pounds over 77 days without adequate food, fluids or medical care, and his attorney disputes the coroner's finding of hypertensive cardiovascular disease; no settlement or award amount has been reported.