Rachel Hammers
Rachel Hammers, 32, was the mother of three minor children. She died on May 12, 2012, in her cell at the Douglas County Correctional Facility in Kansas. Douglas County Coroner Erik Mitchell first ruled that she died from seizures tied to chronic alcoholism and probable alcohol withdrawal, then amended the report to remove withdrawal. Her father, Joseph Harvey, sued on behalf of her children, saying no nurse or doctor saw her despite her known history of alcohol withdrawal and disputing how long staff took to get backup. The county's experts argue the seizure was neither predictable nor preventable.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner first ruled she died of seizures tied to alcoholism and probable withdrawal, then amended the report to remove withdrawal; her father's lawsuit disputes the cause, says no nurse or doctor saw her despite her known withdrawal history, and questions how long staff took to get backup.
Reported by: Douglas County Coroner Erik Mitchell (medical examiner or coroner); Rachel Hammers's father, Joe Harvey, and the family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her father, Joe Harvey, sued Douglas County and jail medical staff over her death, and the county is seeking summary judgment in the case, which remains unresolved.