Lawrence Woods
Lawrence Woods, 34, died on October 18, 2023, while held at Smith State Prison in Georgia. A civil rights coalition says he complained of chest pain and shortness of breath in his cell and received no medical help, while other people held in his dorm shouted and beat on cell doors asking for assistance. The coalition says Woods was well liked by the people he was held with, and that many reached out about his character. The Georgia Department of Corrections said his body was sent for an autopsy to determine the cause of death and showed no visible trauma, and the cause of death has not been reported. His family is considering legal action.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). A civil rights coalition says Woods complained of chest pain and shortness of breath and received no medical help while other people held in the dorm shouted and beat on doors for assistance; the Georgia Department of Corrections says an autopsy is pending to determine the cause and showed no visible trauma.
Reported by: Human and Civil Rights Coalition of Georgia (advocates); Georgia Department of Corrections (the agency that held him).