Jamonte Turner
Jamonte Turner, 18, was held at the Wayne County Jail in Detroit on pretrial status when he was found dead in his cell shortly after midnight on June 6, 2017. The Wayne County Sheriff's Office and Detroit Police describe the death as an apparent suicide by hanging with a sheet, and the medical examiner has yet to determine the official cause. His mother, Florina Turner, said he had mental health problems, that he was a nice kid and a mama's boy, and that they spoke often by phone. She questions how he could have hanged himself while on the floor and says he should have been calling for help.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Officials say it appears to be a suicide by hanging, but his mother, Florina Turner, disputes that finding and says he should have been calling for help, and the medical examiner's ruling is pending.
Reported by: Wayne County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Kelly Miner, director of communications for Wayne County Sheriff's Department (the agency that held him); Detroit Police Department (outside investigators); Florina Turner, his mother (family or their lawyers).
Custody: Awaiting trial.