Marvell Reasonover
Marvell Reasonover, 28, died on March 2, 2023, while held at Cook County Jail in Chicago, in its maximum security Division 9. Correction staff found him unresponsive in his cell and he was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital. The Cook County medical examiner's office ruled his death a homicide caused by multiple injuries from an assault, and a 2024 report by Injustice Watch, citing Sheriff's Office records, said his cellmate was responsible and had assaulted another person days earlier. The Illinois State Police and the sheriff's office investigated, and the report said officers had not checked on him for at least an hour before he was found, though the sheriff's office has not publicly accounted for that gap.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The Cook County medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from multiple injuries from an assault by his cellmate, and Injustice Watch reports that jail records show officers had not checked on him for at least an hour before he was found.
Reported by: Cook County medical examiner's office (medical examiner or coroner); Cook County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Injustice Watch (reporters).
Sources (6)
- Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, Death in Custody Reports (edition of 2026-07-28)
- Cook County Jail inmate dies after violent attack in cell
- Jail Inmate Murdered in Cook County Division IX Super Maximum Security Jail
- Cook County jail inmate deaths: Marvell Reasonover, Melvin Turner found dead in cells day apart
- Cook County Jail’s deadliest year in decades reveals repeated lapses and failed oversight
- Cook County Jail’s Deadliest Year in Decades Reveals Repeated Lapses and Failed Oversight