Luis Zayas
Luis Zayas, 34, was held in a high-risk housing block at the Osceola County Jail in Florida, and his mother, Ivette Zayas, has said he had a long history of mental illness and once danced with her at a restaurant a month before he was taken into custody. He died by hanging in his cell on May 12, 2018, and was declared brain dead and removed from life support the next day, according to the sheriff's office investigation and jail spokeswoman. An internal review found that two officers, Glenroy Huggins and Keith Lynch, lied about conducting required visual checks during the hours he repeatedly tried to harm himself, and both were suspended for one day. The jail has said the death could not have been prevented and denies wrongdoing, while his family later received a settlement from the county.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office investigation and jail spokeswoman say he hanged himself and the death could not be prevented, while his mother Ivette Zayas and attorney say officers missed or falsified required visual checks during the hours he attempted suicide.
Reported by: Osceola County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Osceola County jail spokeswoman (the agency that held him); Ivette Zayas, mother (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Osceola County and later received a settlement from the county.