Jamaal Byrd
Jamaal Byrd, 33, was a loving son, brother, uncle, cousin and father, a quiet man who enjoyed laughing and joking, cooked well, especially pancakes, and would go the extra mile for people in need, his mother Roxane Johnson said. He was held at the D.C. Central Cell Block, where he was found unresponsive during a check on the morning of October 1, 2019. A detective told his mother he may have died of an accidental overdose after swallowing drug bags, but the detective later called that unofficial and said the coroner would determine the cause. The family says authorities have given inconsistent accounts and have been slow to share information, and the coroner's report is still pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined. A homicide detective, Jonathan Shell, told the family he may have died of an accidental overdose after swallowing drug bags, then called that unofficial and said the coroner will determine the cause.
Reported by: MPD homicide detective Jonathan Shell (the agency that held him); the family.