Keishon Thomas
Keishon Thomas, a 20-year-old father of two infant children, died on February 23, 2022, after police placed him in a cell at the Milwaukee Police District 5 lockup. His mother, Markeisha Evans, said he looked healthy and happy when she spoke with him about an hour before he was pulled over, and she described him as a good son. Police found him in need of medical attention about sixteen hours after his arrest, and the medical examiner listed the manner of death as an accident. A family lawsuit says three officers failed to get him medical care after he said he had taken drugs, and it attributes his death to an overdose; the Milwaukee Common Council approved a $2.5 million settlement with the family, which still needs the mayor's signature.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner listed the death as an accident, while his family's lawsuit says he died of a drug overdose after three officers failed to get him medical care after he said he had taken drugs.
Reported by: Milwaukee County medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued the City of Milwaukee, and the Common Council approved a $2.5 million settlement that still needed the mayor's signature.