Kathryn Schneider
Kathryn Schneider, 28, was found hanging from a door in the Koochiching County Jail in Minnesota on March 25, 2013, and the death was described as a suicide. Her family sued Koochiching County, six jail staff and Sheriff Brian Jespersen, alleging deliberate indifference and a failure to take precautions against her death. The lawsuit was settled for $2 million. The family's attorney said the family was optimistic about the new sheriff and wanted to heal from the loss.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Her family's lawsuit says Koochiching County, six jail staff and Sheriff Brian Jespersen were deliberately indifferent and failed to take precautions against her death, and the county later settled for $2 million.
Reported by: Koochiching County Jail (the agency that held her); Kathryn Schneider's family's lawsuit against Koochiching County, six jail staff and Sheriff Brian Jespersen (family or their lawyers); Minnesota Department of Corrections (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: Her family sued Koochiching County, six jail staff and Sheriff Brian Jespersen, and the case settled for $2 million.