Matthew Foster
Matthew Foster died by suicide in a shower at the McMinn County Jail on July 27, 2024, one day after he was booked there. His family's lawsuit says jail staff showed deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, and that this caused his death. McMinn County and the Sheriff's Office, in their answer, deny fault and say he showed no signs of being suicidal and that the staff who met him acted reasonably.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's lawsuit says jail staff were deliberately indifferent to Matthew Foster's serious medical needs, which they say caused his death, while McMinn County and the Sheriff's Office deny fault and say he showed no signs of being suicidal.
Reported by: family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); McMinn County and Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His family sued McMinn County and its Sheriff's Office over his death, alleging deliberate indifference to his serious medical needs, and the county denies fault.