James Laudat
James McDonald Laudat, 48, was diagnosed with schizophrenia. He was found dead in his cell at Golden Grove prison in the Virgin Islands on Monday, November 25, 2019. A judge had ordered him moved to a secure psychiatric facility three months earlier, but the territory had no such facility available, according to the Virgin Islands Daily News. The Bureau of Corrections spokesman said there were no signs of foul play and that an autopsy would determine the cause and manner of death. In July 2020 the Justice Department said he died of natural causes but did not say what caused his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The V.I. Justice Department said he died of natural causes without naming a cause, while the Bureau of Corrections said the autopsy was still pending; a judge had ordered his transfer to a secure psychiatric facility three months earlier, and the territory had no such facility available.
Reported by: V.I. Bureau of Corrections spokesman Winthrop Maduro (the agency that held him); V.I. Justice Department.