Lawrence Michael "Jake" Spies Jr.
Jake Spies, Lawrence Michael Spies Jr., was 34 and was remembered by his mother, Linda Spies, as sensitive, with a very sensitive heart. He struggled with anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts, and his family said he needed help rather than jail and was afraid of being held there. He was held at the El Dorado County Jail in Placerville, California, where he was found hanging in his cell in September 2015, less than a day after his arrest. The jail's account attributes the death to suicide, and his mother says jail records show no clear checks on him and that staff did not act on his earlier suicidal history.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). His mother, Linda Spies, says jail records show no clear checks on him and that staff did not act on his earlier suicidal history.
Reported by: mother, Linda Spies (family or their lawyers); El Dorado County Jail (the agency that held him).