Jason N. Cunningham
Jason N. Cunningham, 26, was held at the Vaughn Correctional Center in Smyrna, Delaware, and was pronounced dead at Kent General Hospital on the evening of April 16, 2014. His mother, Natalie Way, has sought answers about his death, and the ACLU has been working to obtain his medical and other records for her. A state autopsy listed unspecified natural causes, and the Delaware State Police closed their investigation finding no foul play. A petition from people held at the prison and an ACLU lawsuit seeking his records raise questions about force and restraint, including whether he was left unmonitored in a cell.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The state autopsy and Delaware State Police attribute his death to unspecified natural causes, while an inmate petition and an ACLU lawsuit question the use of force and restraint and say staff left him unmonitored in a cell.
Reported by: state autopsy; Delaware State Police (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: The ACLU filed a lawsuit seeking records about his death, and no settlement or jury award was reported.