Rolin Hill
Rolin Hill, 34, was an Eagle Scout who loved surfing, skateboarding and time at the beach, according to his obituary, and his father, Stanley Hill, has said the family wants better mental health care so this does not happen to anyone else. Hill was taken to the Virginia Beach jail in early June 2024, where deputies restrained him during booking, and after a medical emergency he was taken to Sentara Princess Anne Hospital, where he died on June 10, 2024. The Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide from positional and mechanical asphyxia due to restraint with neck and torso compression. Court video shows deputies trying to remove a restraint device, and the sheriff's office said five deputies involved were fired. Three former deputies have been indicted on second-degree murder charges, and their attorneys say their clients acted lawfully and the case has not been decided in court.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed; neglect alleged). The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide from positional and mechanical asphyxia due to restraint, and a grand jury indicted three former deputies, while the deputies' attorneys say their clients' actions were lawful and did not contribute to the death; Rolin Hill's family's lawsuit alleges systemwide failures in care and force.
Reported by: Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); Virginia Beach Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Stanley Hill, in a wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Virginia Beach Commonwealth's Attorney (outside investigators); special grand jury.
Lawsuit: Rolin Hill's father filed a $25 million wrongful death lawsuit over his death at the Virginia Beach jail, and no settlement or verdict amount has been reported.
News reports (18)
- Virginia Beach inmate’s death ruled a homicide, 5 deputies fired - The Virginian-Pilot
- Five Virginia Beach sheriff’s deputies fired following death of Rolin Hill: VBSO
- Use of force that led to Virginia Beach inmate’s death recorded by multiple cameras, city says - The Virginian-Pilot
- 3 former Virginia Beach sheriff’s deputies charged with murdering inmate - The Virginian-Pilot
- Special Grand Jury Indicts Three Former Sheriff’s Deputies in Death of Rolin Hill
- 3 former Virginia Beach deputies charged with 2nd-degree murder in death of Rolin Hill
- 3 ex-Va. jail deputies charged with murder in inmate’s death
- Family holds vigil in Virginia Beach to remember Rolin Hill
- 'Horrific' bodycam footage shows former VBSO deputies booking Rolin Hill
- Bond granted to 3 former Virginia Beach deputies charged with killing inmate - The Virginian-Pilot
- What was the WRAP restraint used on Rolin Hill?
- Virginia Beach sheriff’s office announces policy changes in wake of inmate’s death - The Virginian-Pilot
- Vigil held in Virginia Beach honoring Rolin Hill 1 year after his death
- Trial delayed for former Virginia Beach deputy charged in Rolin Hill’s death
- New trial dates set for two former Virginia Beach deputies charged in Rolin Hill's death
- Trial for ex-Virginia Beach sheriff’s deputy charged with man’s in-custody killing postponed until 2027 - The Virginian-Pilot
- $25M lawsuit filed against VB law enforcement over Rolin Hill's death after in-custody incident
- Father of man who died in-custody amid mental health crisis sues Virginia Beach, alleging systemwide failures - The Virginian-Pilot