Hardel Sherrell
Hardel Sherrell, a 27-year-old father, died on September 2, 2018, while held at the Beltrami County Jail in Bemidji, Minnesota. His mother has described him as a loving father who loved to make people laugh and had a huge heart. Her lawsuit says he developed Guillain-Barré Syndrome that was not diagnosed, that jail staff denied him timely hospital care as he became paralyzed, and that staff believed his symptoms were feigned. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner listed pneumonia as the cause of death, while an independent autopsy found Guillain-Barré Syndrome, and the lawsuit is pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Ramsey County Medical Examiner ruled pneumonia the cause, while an independent autopsy and his mother's lawsuit say Guillain-Barré Syndrome went undiagnosed and jail staff repeatedly believed he was faking, delaying hospital care as he became paralyzed.
Reported by: Ramsey County Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); independent autopsy; his mother's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother sued over his death, and the lawsuit is pending with no settlement or award reported.