Leroy "Nicky" Henry Taylor
Leroy Taylor, 71, was held at the Denver jail, where his family says he was taken to Denver Health with COVID-19 and returned with severe chest pain and trouble swallowing. His relatives, Jacquelyn Richardson and Sandra Manlove, said he did not get the care they believed he needed, and they described him as someone they loved and cared about. The Denver Sheriff's Department said staff found him unresponsive in a housing unit on February 9, 2022, and that he was pronounced dead at Denver Health. The medical examiner determined the death was natural, but his son's lawsuit says staff ignored obvious signs of his decline. In July 2025 a federal judge ruled that a jury may decide the claims against Denver Health and five staff members.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death natural, but his son's lawsuit says staff ignored obvious signs of his decline.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; his son's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His son sued Denver Health and five staff members, and in July 2025 a federal judge ruled that a jury may decide the claims.