John Wayne Siple
John Wayne Siple, 44, died in April 2011 while held at the Columbia County jail. His family's federal wrongful death lawsuit against the sheriff and the contracted medical provider says nurses and staff failed to recognize his withdrawal symptoms and delayed sending him to a hospital. An autopsy listed his cause of death as hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The lawsuit's expert says staff inattention worsened the condition that led to his cardiac arrest, while the sheriff's office said staff followed protocol.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The autopsy listed hypertensive cardiovascular disease, while his family's wrongful death lawsuit says nurses and staff failed to recognize his withdrawal symptoms and delayed transport to a hospital, and the sheriff's office says staff followed protocol.
Reported by: autopsy report; his family's wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued the Columbia County sheriff and the contracted medical provider in federal court, alleging that staff failed to recognize his withdrawal symptoms and delayed his transport to a hospital, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.