Matthew Smith
Matthew Smith, 48, died on October 9, 2015, while held at the Pierce County Jail in Washington. He had Crohn's disease, and his parents, Ben and Nona Smith, say he repeatedly asked for medical and mental health care before he died. Officials said that the death followed sepsis caused by an inflamed j-pouch, which a postmortem examination report recorded. His family's lawsuit says officers and nurses neglected his health, and the county did not respond to requests for comment. His father described him as a quiet young man who played in his high school band and was a Boy Scout, and said he never complained about pain until he was in that jail.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The postmortem report lists sepsis from an inflamed j-pouch, with Crohn's disease as a significant condition, and his parents' lawsuit says Pierce County and NaphCare staff denied him treatment for Crohn's and his mental health needs despite repeated requests.
Reported by: postmortem examination report; parents Ben and Nona Smith and their lawsuit against Pierce County and NaphCare (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His parents sued Pierce County and NaphCare over his death, alleging neglected medical and mental health care, and no settlement or verdict amount has been reported.