Luis Lopez
Luis Lopez, a 27-year-old mechanic and father of two, was found dead in a holding cell at the Wahiawa police station in January 2012. The medical examiner ruled his death a suicide by strangulation, and the Honolulu Police Department conducted an internal review. His widow disputes that finding, saying he would not have taken his own life over a traffic stop, and points to a head wound, a missing shirt and non-working cell cameras. A wrongful death lawsuit against the department is pending.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The medical examiner and Honolulu Police Department say he strangled himself in his holding cell, while his widow and family dispute the suicide finding, pointing to a head wound and non-working cell cameras, and a wrongful death lawsuit is pending.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; Honolulu Police Department (the agency that held him); his widow and family.
Lawsuit: His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Honolulu Police Department, which is still pending.