Larry Earvin
Larry Earvin, 65, lived with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, according to his family, and his son, Larry Pippion, said he needed help. Federal prosecutors say officers beat him on May 17, 2018, at Western Illinois Correctional Center while he was restrained and being escorted to a segregation unit, and that staff did not make sure he received medical care. He was airlifted to a hospital and died on June 26, 2018. An autopsy reported by the Associated Press ruled his death a homicide from blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen. The Illinois Department of Corrections has said it cooperated fully with authorities.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). An autopsy reported by the AP ruled his death a homicide from blunt trauma to the chest and abdomen, and federal prosecutors say staff beat him and did not make sure he received medical care, while the family's attorney says four employees beat him; the Illinois Department of Corrections has declined to give details of the altercation.
Reported by: Clinton County Coroner Phillip Moss (medical examiner or coroner); Dr. Gershom Norfleet (medical examiner or coroner); U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois (outside investigators); federal jury; family attorney Michael Oppenheimer (family or their lawyers); Associated Press (reporters).
Lawsuit: Larry Earvin's family has not been reported to have won or received any payment, and no lawsuit amount is reported in these accounts.
News reports (6)
- News report
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Prison Inmate Death After Run-In with Staff Ruled Homicide
- Family of inmate Larry Earvin, who died in Illinois prison, demands answers
- Illinois prison guard gets 20 years for inmate beating death
- Hedden gets six years as third and final guard connected with inmate death is sentenced