Matthew D. Walker
Matthew Walker, 46, died on April 11, 2014, while held at Charlotte Correctional Institution in Punta Gorda, Florida. According to press reports, officers woke him at night and a confrontation followed. The medical examiner ruled his death a homicide, and a grand jury reportedly found serious failures by prison staff but did not indict anyone, with its records still sealed as of 2023. His sister, Mae Atkins of Clewiston, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2016 alleging that officers beat him, covered up what happened and delayed calling 911. The officers denied striking him, and the claims in the lawsuit remain disputed.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from a crushed throat during a beating by corrections officers, and the family's wrongful death lawsuit alleges officers beat him and delayed calling 911, while officers deny striking him.
Reported by: Medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Florida Department of Corrections (the agency that held him); his sister's wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His sister filed a wrongful death lawsuit in 2016 alleging officers beat him, covered up the crime, and delayed calling 911, and officers denied striking him; no settlement or award amount is reported.