Joshua Odom
Joshua Odom, known to his family as Catfish, was 40 years old. His sister, Marcie Harper, says she was always there for him and protected him when they were children, and he loved to fish. He died on January 12, 2025 at the South Mississippi Correctional Institution in Leakesville, after he was punched during an altercation and fell unconscious. A friend says guards and medical staff did not call an ambulance right away and that Odom was sent back to his housing unit before being taken to the hospital, where he died. The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by blunt force trauma, and the family plans to scatter his ashes in the Gulf on his birthday.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from blunt force trauma after an altercation, and his friend says guards and medical staff did not call an ambulance right away and sent him back to his housing unit before taking him to the hospital.
Reported by: state medical examiner; his friend.