Ian Arias
Ian Arias was the second eldest of eight children, born in the Philippines, who moved with his family to the United States in 1990 and worked as a landscaper. He was held at the James T. Vaughn Correctional Center in Delaware, and his family says he had a history of depression and suicide attempts, that staff knew he was at risk, and that he had been returned to the prison after psychiatric treatment. Prison officials said they found him unconscious in his cell on March 5, 2013, and determined he hanged himself with a bed sheet. His family's federal lawsuit alleges he was not being regularly monitored and that staff were not properly trained. His mother, Maria Cristina Kurcan, said she wants to know what happened so it will not happen again.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Prison officials determined he hanged himself with a bed sheet, but his family's federal lawsuit says staff knew he was at risk, did not monitor him regularly, and were not properly trained.
Reported by: Prison officials (the agency that held him); his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit alleging that prison staff did not regularly monitor him and were not properly trained, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.