Payton Nathaniel Hough
Payton Nathaniel Hough was born and raised on Kauai. His sister wrote in an Instagram post, as reported by Hawaii News Now, that he died by suicide in November 2025 at Columbia Regional Care Center, a privately contracted psychiatric facility in South Carolina, where he had been transferred from a Hawaii state hospital about a year earlier amid an effort to reduce overcrowding. His family learned of his death on November 25, and his attorney said he was sent there without notice or a court hearing. The Hawaii Department of Health did not confirm the death, and state lawmakers have called for a comprehensive review.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The family, through his sister's Instagram post, says he died by suicide, and his attorney says he was transferred without notice or a court hearing, while the Hawaii Department of Health has not confirmed the death and state lawmakers have called for a comprehensive review.
Reported by: family (sister's Instagram post) (family or their lawyers); Hawaii News Now (reporters).