Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Michael Moore

40 years old · died November 29, 2018 · Boyd County Detention Center, Boyd County, Kentucky

Michael L. Moore, 40, died on November 29, 2018, while held at the Boyd County Detention Center in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. He was found dead in a restraint chair, and Kentucky State Police said jail deputies intentionally abused him or knowingly allowed his abuse, which caused his death. The county coroner listed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the torso, and witnesses at a 2021 trial testified that staff did not promptly get him medical care. Former guards were indicted on manslaughter and other charges and have pleaded not guilty, and their accounts of what happened differ, while one former employee pleaded guilty to a lesser count. His estate received a $1.75 million settlement in August 2019.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (neglect alleged). Kentucky State Police say jail deputies intentionally abused him or knowingly allowed his abuse in the restraint chair, causing his death; witnesses at a 2021 trial testified that staff did not promptly get him medical care, and the coroner testified the cause was blunt force trauma to the torso.

Reported by: Kentucky State Police (outside investigators); Mark Hammond, Boyd County Coroner (medical examiner or coroner); Witnesses at the 2021 trial of a former jailer (witnesses); Boyd County Commonwealth Attorney Rhonda Copley.

Lawsuit: The Kentucky Association of Counties All Lines Fund paid his estate a $1.75 million settlement in August 2019.

News reports (19)

Read the Kentucky reportSee on the Kentucky mapSee on the national mapAll records

Questions, a correction, or a death I’ve missed? Email me at orion.j.taylor@gmail.com.