Died in jail or a lockup
Pharoah A. Atum
Pharoah A. Atum, 34, died at a hospital on June 9, 2015, after being held at the Portsmouth Jail in Portsmouth, Virginia. His father said he had struggled with addiction for two years and had recently lost his job, and the family hoped to hold a funeral once they had covered burial costs. Portsmouth officials said Atum attempted suicide inside the jail. His father said he had told detectives his son was suicidal and believes jail staff ignored that warning.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). His father says he told detectives his son was suicidal and believes jail staff ignored that warning.
Reported by: Portsmouth officials (the agency that held him); his father.