Joshua Pitts
Joshua Pitts died in his cell at the Morongo Basin Jail in Joshua Tree, San Bernardino County, California. His mother, Tammy Shidler, said she had called the sheriff's department for help when he was in a mental health crisis, and she said of him, "My son mattered. He was mentally ill." Authorities described his death as an apparent suicide. His family is preparing a civil lawsuit.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Authorities describe the death as an apparent suicide, while his mother says she called the sheriff's department for help during a mental health crisis and his family is preparing a civil lawsuit.
Reported by: Morongo Basin Jail (the agency that held him); his mother; his family's civil lawsuit (family or their lawyers).