Justin Ciccone
Justin Ciccone, 34, grew up in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and his obituary describes him as a friendly, bright, proud and intense young man with a big and loving heart. He died on May 3, 2020, after being held at the Rowan County Detention Center in Morehead, Kentucky. His parents' wrongful death lawsuit says jail employees choked, tased and struck him after he was restrained, and that he was pressed to the ground while unresponsive, with fractures to multiple ribs on his left side and his spine. He was taken to University of Kentucky Hospital, where brain death was confirmed before he died, and the lawsuit names the county and jailer as defendants. The Morehead Police Department investigated and filed no charges.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). His parents' wrongful death lawsuit says Rowan County Detention Center employees choked, tased and struck him after restraining him, then pressed him down unresponsive, and that he suffered rib and spine fractures; the lawsuit names the county and jailer as defendants.
Reported by: his parents' wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Morehead Police Department (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: His parents sued Rowan County and its jailer in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky over his death, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.