Jeremy Lum
Jeremy Lum, 29, was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and his father, Jerry Lum, and aunt, Cindy Lum, remember him as a loved son and nephew. He was held at the San Joaquin County Jail in July 2009 and released the next morning, and when he did not come home his family searched for him. His body was found three days later in the San Joaquin River near the Howard Road Bridge, and an autopsy found he had drowned. His family says his medical needs were ignored and that he was released without a phone or shoes, while the Sheriff's Office said he was evaluated, signed a release, and had no legal authority to hold him. In January 2016 the county approved a $1.58 million settlement while denying any wrongdoing.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The autopsy found that he drowned, and his family says jail staff ignored his medical needs and released him without a phone or shoes, while the Sheriff's Office says he was evaluated and signed a release.
Reported by: autopsy report; San Joaquin County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his family and their lawsuit.
Lawsuit: His family sued, and in January 2016 San Joaquin County approved a $1.58 million settlement while denying any wrongdoing.