Ricky James
Ricky James, 36, was held at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Fort Dix, New Jersey. In early April 2020 he called his mother to say he was sick and could not get a Covid-19 test, and he reported coughing and chills to the prison. He died on April 3, 2020, and the wing where he had been living was put on lockdown. Prison officials told the family a medical examiner found heart disease, and his father, Eddie James, said he is skeptical because the prison did not test his son for coronavirus; the family could not afford an independent autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). Prison officials told the family a medical examiner found heart disease, while his father, Eddie James, is skeptical and says the prison did not test his son for coronavirus after he reported coughing and chills.
Reported by: prison officials (Mid-State Correctional Facility) (the agency that held him); medical examiner or coroner; Eddie James, his father (family or their lawyers).