Robert Chester Forrest Jr.
Robert Chester Forrest Jr., 77, had lived most of his life in Norfolk and more recently in Newport News, and his online obituary lists a sister, nine children and 21 grandchildren. He died on August 28, 2021, in his cell at the Newport News City Jail, where he was being held. The state medical examiner's office identified COVID-19 as the primary cause of death, with several preexisting conditions listed as contributing causes. His attorney questioned why he was not taken to a hospital and said he should have received hospital care. The sheriff's office did not answer the Daily Press's questions about when he was last seen alive or whether he had been tested for COVID-19.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness. The state medical examiner identified COVID-19 as the primary cause of death, with preexisting conditions as contributing causes, and his attorney questioned why he was not taken to a hospital.
Reported by: Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of Virginia (medical examiner or coroner).