Joe Hayes
Joe Hayes, 54, was held at the Zephyrhills state prison in Florida and died there on April 21, 2012, before being taken to Lakeland Regional Hospital. The Polk County medical examiner gave the cause of death as blunt force trauma and the manner as homicide. A fellow prisoner told the Tampa Bay Times that he beat Hayes in their cell.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody. The Polk County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from blunt force trauma, and a fellow prisoner was charged with second-degree murder after reportedly telling the Tampa Bay Times he beat Hayes in their cell.
Reported by: Polk County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Tampa Bay Times (reporters).