Kendra Sawyer
Kendra Sawyer, 22, died by suicide on February 13, 2023, while held at the Deschutes County Jail in Oregon. Her father, Kent Sawyer, says she was in severe opioid withdrawal from fentanyl after she entered the jail and was held in a single-person cell in the detox unit. His federal lawsuit says staff did not refer her to medical or mental health care despite her distress, that she was left unchecked for about 40 minutes, and that she was found hanging from a towel in her cell. The lawsuit also alleges inadequate suicide prevention policy and missed safety checks. The county says it disputes the allegations and will defend the suit.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Her father Kent Sawyer's federal lawsuit says staff left her unattended for about 40 minutes and missed required safety checks while she was in opioid withdrawal, and the county disputes the allegations.
Reported by: Kent Sawyer, her father, via federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); the family's attorneys (family or their lawyers); Deschutes County (the agency that held her).
Lawsuit: Her father sued Deschutes County and several officials in federal court over her death, alleging staff failed to provide medical care and suicide monitoring; the county disputes the allegations and says it will defend the case, and no settlement or award is reported.