Ryan George
Ryan George, 22, was held at the Sonoma County Jail, where he died on July 9, 2007, according to the family's federal lawsuit and the county coroner's autopsy. His family said he had sickle cell anemia, that he repeatedly reported pain and asked for help, and that he did not receive adequate care before he died. He had left a fiancée, a two-year-old daughter and an unborn son, and his mother said he had everything to live for. The autopsy found micro-clotting of the lungs, a condition consistent with sickle cell anemia, and the lawsuit filed in May 2008 blames the jail, its medical provider and the hospital where he had been taken. The Marin County Sheriff's investigation into his death was still under review by the district attorney as of May 2008.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (neglect alleged). The Sonoma County Coroner's Office autopsy found micro-clotting of the lungs consistent with sickle cell anemia, while his family's federal lawsuit says jail staff did not give him adequate care after he repeatedly reported pain and asked for help.
Reported by: Sonoma County Coroner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); family, in a federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit in May 2008 against the jail, its medical provider and the hospital over his care.