Jacob Biddix
His sister Devon and mother Cassandra remember Jacob, 26, as thoughtful and caring, someone who loved animals and loved life. He was found unresponsive in his cell at the Buncombe County Detention Facility in Asheville on July 25, 2020. Jail staff took him to Mission Hospital, where the jail released him from custody. His family says detention officers waited several minutes before entering the cell and that the jail should have acted sooner. Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams found no evidence of criminal negligence after a State Bureau of Investigation review, and the sheriff's office said no policy was violated.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office describes a medical emergency, and the family says detention officers waited several minutes before entering his cell; the District Attorney found no criminal negligence and the sheriff's office said no policy was violated.
Reported by: Buncombe County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams.