Kevante Washington
Kevante Washington was a father of three who grew up in Wilmington, according to his family, and his sister said he was trying to change his life. He died in May 2023 after being held at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia. His family says he told staff and relatives he did not feel safe there, and a lawsuit against the United States says he was raped and beaten by his cellmate and that a panic button in his cell either did not work or was not answered in time. Prison officials described an altercation and said he was taken to a hospital, where he died the following day; his mother, Cynthia Santiago, believes he was killed, and the autopsy was still pending when the family spoke publicly.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's lawsuit says his cellmate raped and beat him and that his cell panic button did not work or went unanswered in time, while prison officials described only an 'altercation' and his mother believes he was murdered, with the autopsy still pending.
Reported by: family, through their lawyer, in a lawsuit against the United States (family or their lawyers); Prison officials (Federal Detention Center, Philadelphia) (the agency that held him); his mother, Cynthia Santiago (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued the United States over his death at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.