Mark Cook Jr.
Mark Cook Jr., 27, was a man from Hoonah whose grandfather, Tom Abel, said he had lived with back pain from years of manual labor and was in constant pain after a car crushed his spine weeks before his death. Mark Cook Jr. was found hanging in his cell at Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Juneau in late April 2023 and was pronounced dead the next day, after being kept on life support for organ donation, and his family held ceremonies for him before his organs were donated. The Alaska State Troopers are investigating and said there was no evidence of foul play. His family says institutional and systemic problems, including solitary-type confinement, untreated pain and a lack of medical attention, led to his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Alaska State Troopers said there was no evidence of foul play, and his grandfather Thomas Abel says institutional problems, including solitary-type confinement, untreated pain and lack of medical attention, led to his death.
Reported by: Alaska State Troopers (outside investigators); family (grandfather Thomas Abel) (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a lawsuit seeking restitution and damages over his death at Lemon Creek Correctional Center in Alaska.
News reports (4)
- Man dies at Juneau correctional facility in Alaska’s third in-custody death in a month
- Family says man’s death in Lemon Creek Correctional Center was avoidable
- Republican lawmakers abruptly cancel hearing on Alaska prison deaths over legal concerns
- Alaska Department of Corrections reports record-tying 18 deaths in custody this year