Richard "Ricky" Wriston
Ricky Wriston, 45, was held at Southern Regional Jail in West Virginia and died on March 14, 2022, a day later at Beckley ARH Hospital. He was the nephew of Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston. An attorney for his family alleges he was the victim of medical neglect, and family members have raised allegations of abuse. A 2023 Mountain State Spotlight report says his death was one reason pressure was placed on the state's corrections commissioner to resign.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's attorney alleges medical neglect at Southern Regional Jail, and family members have raised allegations of abuse, while the cause of death is not stated in these accounts.
Reported by: attorney for the family.