Loyce Tucker
Loyce Tucker, a 17-year-old, was held at the Waycross Regional Youth Detention Center in Waycross, Georgia, when he was found unresponsive on August 9, 2022. He later died at a hospital in Savannah, and a family friend, Meghan Swann, said he had once lived with her and that the family was devastated. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says a juvenile correctional officer allowed a fight game among the youths in his presence, and the officer was arrested and fired. An autopsy reported a vertebral artery injury from blunt force trauma and ruled the death a homicide, while the family's early understanding had been that it might be an aneurysm; the GBI's investigation remains open.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The GBI says a juvenile correctional officer allowed a 'fight game' among youths to go on in his presence, and an autopsy ruled Loyce Tucker's death a homicide from blunt force injury to the neck.
Reported by: Georgia Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); autopsy.
News reports (9)
- Family friend of teen who died after ‘fight game’ at Waycross detention center heartbroken
- Corrections officer arrested after juvenile dies from "fight game" in youth detention center
- Georgia youth detention death: 1 juvenile killed, officer charged with murder after 'fight game'
- Ex-officer arrested after child dies following ‘fight game’ inside youth detention center
- Juvenile detention officer charged with murder in Waycross RYDC death investigation
- CO watched ‘fight game’ that lead to death of juvenile inmate, Ga. officials say
- GBI: Youth correctional officer charged with murder after juvenile dies during fight game
- Georgia juvenile correctional officer arrested in 'fight game' death
- Family speaks out as justice remains delayed in teen’s death at Waycross Youth Detention Center