Jennifer Ross
Jennifer Ross, 31, was a mother of two sons who had been working toward recovery from long-term drug dependency and had completed an in-patient rehabilitation program. She died of a fentanyl-related overdose on September 20, 2022, three days after she was taken into the Monmouth County Correctional Institution in Freehold, New Jersey. Her mother, Michelle Trussell, filed a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging that illegal drugs flowed unchecked into the jail and that officials failed to address repeated overdoses and to act on the danger. A federal judge allowed the case to proceed in 2025; the county argued its efforts to limit drug access were sufficient, and the court rejected that argument at this stage.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's federal lawsuit says drugs flowed unchecked into the Monmouth County jail, officials ignored repeated overdoses, and staff were inadequate in trying to revive her, while the county argues its efforts to limit drug access were sufficient and the sheriff's office does not comment on pending litigation.
Reported by: Michelle Trussell and Lowenstein Sandler attorneys, through the family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); federal court; Monmouth County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her).
Lawsuit: Her mother, Michelle Trussell, sued Monmouth County and jail officials in federal court alleging the jail let drugs flow unchecked, and in March 2025 a federal judge allowed the case to proceed; no settlement or award has been reported.