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Died in jail or a lockup

John Basco

48 years old · died September 11, 2022 · Oklahoma County Detention Center, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

John Basco, 48, was one of four men who sued Oklahoma County over alleged 'Baby Shark' abuse at the Oklahoma County Detention Center, where the lawsuit says detainees were made to listen to the children's song for hours. His attorney, Cameron Spradling, described him as quiet, intelligent and calm, and said he was in good health. A detention officer found him unresponsive in his cell during site checks early on Sunday, September 11, 2022, days after he was held at the jail, and he was pronounced dead shortly after 4 a.m. The jail said there were no obvious signs of foul play, that a possible drug overdose is being investigated, and that the State Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation assisting. Spradling called the timing disturbing, asked that evidence be preserved and sought a separate investigation, and his sisters were devastated by the news.

Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed). Jail spokesman Mark Opgrande said a possible drug overdose is under investigation and the State Medical Examiner will determine the cause, while his attorney, Cameron Spradling, called the timing of the death disturbing and asked for a separate investigation.

Reported by: Oklahoma County Detention Center (Mark Opgrande, director of communications) (the agency that held him). The only account of how this person died comes from the agency that held him.

Lawsuit: John Basco was one of several plaintiffs suing Oklahoma County over alleged 'Baby Shark' abuse at the jail, and the source reports no settlement or award amount.

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