Rufus Lane
Rufus Lane was held at Valdosta State Prison in Georgia when he died in January 2024. His sister, Denise Robinson, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he had been locked up there for decades and had told her the prison had too few officers watching and was dangerous. Citing death certificate data and state prison records, the AJC reported that he was strangled to death and that the manner of death was homicide. Denise Robinson's account of conditions at the prison is her own.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (neglect alleged). The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports he was strangled to death, and his sister says he told her the prison had few officers watching and was dangerous.
Reported by: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (reporters); his sister.