Joseph E. Bialaszewski
Joseph Bialaszewski, 29, died on July 26, 2019, at Buffalo General Medical Center after being found unresponsive in his cell at the Erie County Holding Center in Buffalo. His mother, Gail Bialaszewski, said the medical center told her he died of a ruptured ulcer that led to sepsis and cardiac arrest. According to the reporting, he had complained of feeling ill and had been placed in a detox cell away from medical staff and not in constant view of guards, and it is unclear how long he lay on the floor before staff found him. The state commission is investigating his death, and family members helped raise the $900 his mother needed to collect his ashes from a funeral home.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Doctors told his family a ruptured ulcer led to sepsis and cardiac arrest, while his family says he complained of feeling ill, was placed in a detox cell away from medical staff and not in constant view of guards, and that the state commission is investigating his death.
Reported by: doctors at Buffalo General Medical Center (medical examiner or coroner); his mother; the state commission investigating the death.