Niki Capaci
Niki Capaci was a mother of seven and a former registered nurse who became a nurse at 21 to support her children, and her family describes her as devoted and protective. She died on May 6, 2023 at the Orange County Jail in Goshen, New York, where she was found unresponsive in her cell. The medical examiner's autopsy lists the cause of death as an accident from acute drug intoxication. Her family alleges she suffered severe opioid withdrawal and medical neglect by jail staff and Wellpath, the jail's health care provider, and has filed a federal lawsuit against the county and Wellpath.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner's autopsy lists an accident from acute drug intoxication, and the state Attorney General's office lists it as an overdose, but Niki Capaci's family alleges she suffered severe opioid withdrawal and medical neglect by Orange County jail staff and Wellpath, and has filed a federal lawsuit against the county and Wellpath.
Reported by: Orange County medical examiner's autopsy report (medical examiner or coroner); New York State Office of the Attorney General, Office of Special Investigation (outside investigators); Niki Capaci's family (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family filed a federal lawsuit against Orange County and Wellpath, the jail's health care provider, over her death in the Orange County Jail.