Kyle Yoemans
Kyle Christopher Yoemans, 26, was held at the Adams County Detention Facility in Colorado, where he died in February 2017. His mother, Aimee Ishmael, says he had suffered traumatic brain injuries in a 2016 motorcycle accident and had been treated for months before being placed in a general population cell. According to a federal wrongful death lawsuit she filed, a cellmate beat and strangled him on February 8, 2017, despite her warnings about the cellmate's history of violence and untreated psychosis. The lawsuit names the sheriff, the county, the health provider Wellpath and several deputies and nurses; the sheriff's office and Wellpath declined to comment on the pending litigation. In November 2020 a federal judge refused to dismiss the claims against the county, a jail employee and the former sheriff, so a jury will decide them.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). His mother's federal lawsuit says his cellmate beat and strangled him, and that jail staff placed the cellmate, who had a history of violence and untreated psychosis, in general population despite her warnings.
Reported by: federal wrongful death lawsuit filed by his mother, Aimee Ishmael (family or their lawyers); 17th Judicial District Attorney's Office; Adams County District Attorney's Office; news report.
Lawsuit: His mother, Aimee Ishmael, filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Adams County, the sheriff, the health provider Wellpath and several deputies and nurses, and in November 2020 a federal judge refused to dismiss the claims against the county, a jail employee and the former sheriff, leaving the case for a jury; no amount has been reported.