Jerrell Lacy
Jerrell Lacy, 38, was held at the San Diego Central Jail, where he died on April 11, 2022. His mother, Vickie Lewis, has pressed for answers and reform, and his family wants accountability for his death and for others who die in custody. Sheriff's officials first described the death as natural, and the medical examiner ruled it pulmonary thromboembolic disease due to deep vein thrombosis. The family says he reported chest pain and shortness of breath and was cleared to go to a hospital, and a 2023 county oversight board report says he was returned to his cell just before transport and died shortly after. The family also disputes how a use-of-force incident about a week before his death may have affected his health, and reports say video from that day has not been preserved.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Sheriff's officials called the death natural and the medical examiner ruled it pulmonary thromboembolic disease from deep vein thrombosis, but his family says he reported chest pain and shortness of breath and staff returned him to his cell instead of sending him to a hospital, and the family disputes how a use-of-force incident a week earlier may have affected his health.
Reported by: San Diego County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); San Diego County Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Jerrell Lacy's family (family or their lawyers); San Diego County jail oversight board report.