Ruth Freiwald
Ruth Freiwald, a 51-year-old woman, was held at the Brown County Jail in Wisconsin when she died on November 2, 2016. Her estate and her eight children, in a federal lawsuit, say she had a history of depression and PTSD, that some of her prescribed medications were withheld in custody, and that jail staff did not identify her as a suicide risk. The lawsuit says that on the day she died she had been allowed to leave the jail for classes and stepped in front of a truck in traffic, dying hours later. The suit alleges civil rights violations, medical negligence and wrongful death, and the Brown County Sheriff's Office said attorneys are reviewing the case.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Her estate and children's federal lawsuit says she stepped in front of a truck, that she was denied some prescribed medications in custody, and that jail staff did not identify her as a suicide risk, while the Brown County Sheriff's Office says attorneys are reviewing the case.
Reported by: Estate of Ruth Freiwald and her children, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Brown County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her).
Lawsuit: Her estate and children sued in federal court over her death at the Brown County Jail, alleging civil rights violations, medical negligence and wrongful death, and no settlement or award has been reported.