Mark Simms
Mark Simms, 36, died at the Gallia County Jail in Gallipolis, Ohio, on December 16, 2018. His grandmother had posted bail for him and was waiting at the jail to take him to a hospital when he collapsed. An autopsy listed a heart attack as the cause of death after several days of stomach pain and vomiting, and state investigators reported that EMTs had recommended a hospital evaluation that was not carried out. The county says he died of longstanding cardiovascular disease that was not apparent to officers or EMTs, while his family, including his daughter, has filed a lawsuit disputing the care he received.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The autopsy found he died of a heart attack, and the county says longstanding cardiovascular disease caused his death; state investigators say EMTs recommended a hospital evaluation that jail staff did not carry out.
Reported by: autopsy; Gallia County Jail (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His family filed a lawsuit disputing the care he received at the Gallia County Jail, and no settlement or award amount is reported.