Justin Benner
Justin Benner, 48, was a chef and a graduate of Oklahoma State University, and his father described him as endlessly curious, compassionate and generous. He died in September 2025 at the Tulsa Municipal Jail, after a night-time encounter with police near his neighbor's home that began with a medical episode. Medical examiners could not determine how he died, but their autopsy listed heart disease, being restrained, physical trauma and methylphenidate as possible contributing factors. The family's attorney, Dan Smolen, says the jail failed to provide medical care and that officers used unnecessary force, and the family plans to sue the city and individual officers.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner could not determine the manner of death and listed heart disease, restraint, physical trauma and methylphenidate as possible contributing factors; his family's attorney says jail staff failed to provide medical care, did not complete a required medical screening, and used unnecessary force.
Reported by: Medical examiners (autopsy released in April) (medical examiner or coroner); Family and their attorney Dan Smolen (family or their lawyers); The Frontier (reporters).
Lawsuit: His family plans to sue the city, Allied Universal, which operates the Tulsa Municipal Jail under contract, and individual officers over failures to provide medical care and unnecessary force; no payment has been reported.