Keishawn Omar McManus
Keishawn Omar McManus was 27 and was held in South Carolina Department of Corrections custody, including at Lee Correctional Institution and then Perry Correctional Institution in Pelzer. He had sickle cell disease and mental health distress, and the federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by special administrator Paul Swearingen says he told a counselor he would end his life if he could not get help. The lawsuit says he hanged himself in his cell on the evening of January 31, 2020, after a counselor said she would check on him the next day, and that a guard recorded a check but did not see him for hours. The lawsuit also links his death to injuries from the 2018 Lee riot and alleges that prison officials failed to treat him; the State Law Enforcement Division was still investigating.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The federal wrongful death lawsuit by special administrator Paul Swearingen says he hanged himself in his cell after a counselor said she would check on him the next day, and that a guard recorded a check but did not see him for hours, while he had told a counselor he would end his life without help.
Reported by: federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by special administrator Paul Swearingen (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: A federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by special administrator Paul Swearingen alleges that McManus hanged himself after prison staff failed to check on him and to treat his medical and mental health needs, and no settlement or award is reported.