Jordan Ward
Jordan Ward, 30, was described by his father, Robert Ward, as a constant source of support after the death of his stepmother Janine less than two months earlier, and as his best friend. Jordan died of a fentanyl overdose in his cell at the South Dakota state penitentiary on August 4, 2022. His father's federal lawsuit says Department of Corrections staff failed to search visitors and the people held at the prison, and responded too slowly when his cellmate called for help, including delays in bringing a nurse and naloxone. The Department of Corrections denies wrongdoing, and the case is in pretrial proceedings.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The lawsuit by his father Robert Ward says the Department of Corrections failed to search visitors and inmates and responded too slowly when his cellmate called for help, including delays in bringing a nurse and naloxone; the Department denies wrongdoing.
Reported by: South Dakota Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Robert Ward's federal lawsuit against the South Dakota Department of Corrections (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His father, Robert Ward, sued the South Dakota Department of Corrections in federal court, and the case remains in pretrial proceedings with the Department denying wrongdoing.