Paul French
Paul French, 31, had a history of mental illness, and his grandmother called police hoping he would get help; his family said they wanted him treated rather than die in the county jail. He was held at the Dallas County Jail for months while waiting to be moved to a state mental health hospital. In December 2020 he was found unresponsive in his cell and died at Parkland Hospital, and the medical examiner's autopsy found acute water intoxication and ruled the manner undetermined. His family's lawsuit says he was not properly medicated and that jail staff did not check on him as required while he was on suicide watch, and his attorney said he did not receive the mental health treatment he needed. Dallas County approved a $1 million settlement in 2024.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). The Medical Examiner's autopsy found acute water intoxication and ruled the manner undetermined, while his family's lawsuit says jail staff did not check on him as required while he was on suicide watch and did not properly medicate him.
Reported by: Medical Examiner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); Family lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family sued Dallas County and the county settled for $1 million in 2024.