Michael Adams
Michael Adams was a bright and talented child who dreamed of becoming a doctor and loved writing music and playing guitar, his father Paul Adams said. His family says he struggled with serious mental illness for years without adequate treatment, and he died in April 2021 while held at the Maricopa County jail in Arizona. The medical examiner ruled his death natural, citing his history of heart problems and a possible side effect of one of his antipsychotic medications. His father says Michael's schizophrenia went untreated in custody and that he never got the help he asked for, and Paul has sued prison health care providers and a former corrections director. An investigation into the death remains open.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death natural, citing heart problems and a possible medication side effect, while his father, Paul Adams, says his untreated schizophrenia and ignored requests for help were to blame and has sued prison health care providers and a former corrections director.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; Paul Adams (father) and his lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His father, Paul Adams, sued prison health care providers and a former corrections director over his death.