Malek Gordon
Malek Gordon, 25, died in July 2021 while held at Santa Rosa Correctional Institution in Florida. His mother, Justina James, says he was excited to come home and to be cooked for, and that she would not believe he took his own life. The prison told her he had died by suicide, which the Florida Department of Corrections later listed as the manner of death, though the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said it was investigating and the autopsy was still pending. Family and friends planned a candlelight vigil in his honor.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The Florida Department of Corrections recorded the death as suicide, but his mother, Justina James, disputes this and says he would not have killed himself.
Reported by: Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); Justina James, his mother (family or their lawyers).