John Skinner
John Skinner died on July 30, 2023, while held at the J. Dale Wainwright Unit, a Texas Department of Criminal Justice prison near Huntsville. His family's federal lawsuit says he had disabilities and took medications that made him vulnerable to heat, and that he was denied air-conditioned housing despite repeated requests during a July 2023 heat wave. The lawsuit attributes his death to heat-related illness. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. His family's federal lawsuit says he died of heat-related illness after staff denied him air-conditioned housing despite repeated requests.
Reported by: his family's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued in federal court over his death at the J. Dale Wainwright Unit, alleging he was denied air-conditioned housing during a 2023 heat wave; no settlement or award amount was reported.