Lorenzo Hayes
Lorenzo Hayes, 37, died on May 13, 2015, after he was held at the Spokane County Jail, where jail staff placed him in a restraint chair in a holding cell. The medical examiner found methamphetamine toxicity and aspiration of his own vomit while he was restrained, and ruled the death a homicide. Firefighters and paramedics revived him at the jail, and he died later at a hospital. No criminal culpability was found for the officers involved, while his family, who said he left seven children, later settled a wrongful death lawsuit against the county for $500,000.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide, finding methamphetamine toxicity and aspiration on his own vomit while he was restrained in a restraint chair.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; family's wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Spokane County over his death and settled the wrongful death lawsuit for $500,000.