Meagan Bruce
Meagan Ashley Bruce, 32, of Bend, died on July 7, 2023, while held at the Washington County Jail in Oregon. The Washington County Sheriff's Office said a jail deputy found her unresponsive in her bed around 2:20 a.m., and that deputies and later paramedics tried to save her before she was declared dead at the scene. A tort claim notice filed by her family's lawyers says she was left dehydrated in her cell, had no fluid in her bladder, and did not receive the care needed for someone going through withdrawal. The Major Crimes Team is investigating, and the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The Washington County Sheriff's Office says the Oregon State Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause, while the family's lawyers, in a tort claim notice, say she was left dehydrated in her cell and did not receive care for withdrawal.
Reported by: Washington County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); Family's lawyers, in a tort claim notice (family or their lawyers).