Jonothan E. Maxwell
Jonothan E. Maxwell, 32, died on January 30, 2016, at the Rutherford County jail in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He was held alone in a holding cell next to the booking room, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's preliminary information says he hanged himself with the cord of a pay phone. His wife, Rachel Maxwell, filed a wrongful death suit against the county in February 2016 to seek answers and preserve evidence, and the lawsuit says officers watching the booking room did not monitor his cell, which had live video, and that no one noticed for at least 45 minutes. The county had 60 days to respond to the complaint.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's preliminary information says he hanged himself with a pay phone cord, and his wife's lawsuit says officers watching the booking room did not monitor the holding cell and no one noticed for at least 45 minutes.
Reported by: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); his wife's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His wife, Rachel Maxwell, filed a wrongful death suit over his death in February 2016, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.