Jeff Nichols
Jeff Nichols, 35, died on September 10, 2023, at the Northwest State Correctional Facility in St. Albans, Vermont. His father, Tony Nichols, described him as an avid hunter and a proud father who struggled with opiate use throughout his life and had been planning to build a house for his daughter. The medical examiner's office determined his death was an accident caused by intoxication from fentanyl and hydroxyzine. His family has sued the state, alleging that prison and medical staff failed to monitor him during severe drug withdrawal, and his father has questioned how drugs got inside the prison.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner's office ruled the death an accident from fentanyl and hydroxyzine intoxication, while his family's lawsuit says prison and medical staff failed to monitor him during severe withdrawal, and his father questions how drugs got inside the prison and wants an independent investigation.
Reported by: medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); his father.
Lawsuit: His family sued the State of Vermont, alleging that prison and medical staff failed to monitor him during severe drug withdrawal, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.