Joshua Bates
Joshua Bates was 40 years old and was due to be paroled the following month. His family said he was looking forward to getting to know his twin children, born shortly after he was incarcerated, and his daughter, who is now 19. He died in his cell at the Varner Unit prison in Arkansas, and his death certificate lists synthetic cannabinoid toxicity as the cause and an accident as the manner, according to KATV. His sister does not accept that account, believes he was poisoned, and says Arkansas State Police have not contacted the family nearly three months after his death. The family links his death to other suspicious prison deaths the agency is investigating, and he was buried in Arkansas County.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed). His death certificate lists synthetic cannabinoid toxicity as the cause and an accident as the manner, but his sister rejects this and believes he was poisoned.
Reported by: Joshua's death certificate (medical examiner or coroner); his sister.