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Died in jail or a lockup

Lacey Wolford

35 years old · died September 23, 2019 · Gallia County Jail, Gallia County, Ohio

Lacey Wolford, 35, of Bidwell, Ohio, died on September 23, 2019, while held at the Gallia County Jail in Gallipolis. Sheriff Matt Champlin said preliminary reports indicate an overdose from contraband smuggled into the jail, and that officers were unable to reach him in time. His mother, Brenda Wolford, and his sister, Georgia Chapman, say other people held in his cell block screamed and banged on their cells for more than 15 minutes trying to get staff attention. Brenda Wolford said of her son's death, "They let him die." The family says no one from the Sheriff's Office contacted them and that they learned of his death from Facebook, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is still investigating.

Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). Sheriff Matt Champlin said preliminary reports indicate an overdose from contraband smuggled into the jail, while his sister, Georgia Chapman, says other inmates screamed and banged on their cells for more than 15 minutes before staff responded.

Reported by: Gallia County Sheriff's Office (Sheriff Matt Champlin) (the agency that held him); his sister, Georgia Chapman (family or their lawyers).

Sources (7)