Michael Cassella
Michael Cassella, 40, of Howell, died of acute fentanyl toxicity at East Jersey State Prison in Rahway, New Jersey, in August 2022. His aunt, Donna McNichol of Freehold, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the state, with attorney Brooke M. Barnett, saying he stopped contacting her and that she called the prison several times without answer. The lawsuit alleges that officials tolerate drug smuggling and provide inadequate medical care, and that staff did not tell the family of his death for days. The Department of Corrections declined to comment on the pending litigation but said synthetic drugs entering facilities by mail are a growing problem.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's wrongful death lawsuit, brought by his aunt Donna McNichol and attorney Brooke M. Barnett, attributes his fentanyl toxicity to drug smuggling tolerated by officials and inadequate medical care.
Reported by: his family's wrongful death lawsuit (Donna McNichol, attorney Brooke M. Barnett) (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His aunt, Donna McNichol, sued the state for wrongful death over his 2022 death at East Jersey State Prison, and the litigation is pending with no amount reported.