John “Joe” Stasionis
John Stasionis, 69, was held at the Kissimmee Community Release Center, a Florida Department of Corrections facility where people work in the community during the day. He worked in the facility's kitchen and sent drawings to his friend Heather Morissette, his emergency contact, who called him 'a beautiful person.' According to the Orlando Sentinel, he tested positive for COVID-19 at a hospital and died on August 9, 2020. Morissette says he was refused a test before he was hospitalized because he had no fever, and the Florida Department of Corrections said it will not disclose COVID cases or deaths at smaller facilities, citing privacy. The department's record lists the manner of death as natural.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The Florida Department of Corrections recorded the death as natural from COVID-19, and a friend says staff refused him a COVID test before hospitalization because he had no fever.
Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); news reporting that he tested positive for COVID-19 at a hospital (reporters); a friend.