Ronald Hewett
Ronald Hewett, a former Brunswick County sheriff, died on July 12, 2014, while held at the New Hanover County Detention Center in Wilmington, North Carolina. A friend of the family described him as a DARE officer who taught children about the dangers of drugs and alcohol, a man who worshiped God and would help anyone, and a father of two. According to Sheriff Ed McMahon, he got into an altercation with a deputy when he was brought out of segregated confinement for a visit from his mother and girlfriend, and a Taser was used; the sheriff's office said he was placed on suicide watch and was found unresponsive in his cell. The autopsy by Dr. William Oliver attributed his death to dilated cardiomyopathy, with stress of subdual and chronic alcohol use as contributing factors, and the district attorney, Ben David, found no criminal violations by officers.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed). The medical examiner attributed the death to dilated cardiomyopathy, with stress of subdual and chronic alcohol use as contributing factors, while a family friend attributed it to a weak heart linked to alcohol abuse and the SBI and sheriff's office investigations were still pending.
Reported by: Medical examiner Dr. William Oliver (medical examiner or coroner); District Attorney Ben David (outside investigators); Jonathan Crane, a friend of the family (family or their lawyers); Sheriff Ed McMahon (the agency that held him).