Marvin Walker
Marvin Walker, 28, was a churchgoer who sang in the choir, according to his mother, who described him as the younger of her two sons. He was held at the St. Bernard Parish jail in December 2020 while awaiting trial, and his family says he was struggling with addiction. His family says a deputy assured his mother he would be fine, but he died on January 2, 2021, four days later. A wrongful death lawsuit, brought by attorney Gary Bizal, says he suffered severe but treatable withdrawal symptoms without proper medical care; the sheriff's office declined to comment, citing the ongoing litigation.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). His family's wrongful death lawsuit, brought by attorney Gary Bizal, says staff left him to suffer severe but treatable withdrawal without proper medical care, and the sheriff's office declined to comment citing the litigation.
Reported by: family's wrongful death lawsuit (attorney Gary Bizal) (family or their lawyers); St. Bernard Parish Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His family filed a wrongful death lawsuit over his death at the St. Bernard Parish jail, and no settlement or award amount has been reported.