Saliou Thiam
Saliou Thiam, 40, a father of two from Senegal who had worked in marketing there and later as a warehouse manager in New Orleans, died on July 27, 2026, in his cell in Unit E on the second floor of the Orleans Justice Center, where he was held before trial. According to his cousin, he had been leading prayer groups in the jail and was ready to come out. Deputies found him unresponsive during morning rounds, and the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office said jail medical staff and EMS tried lifesaving measures. The coroner has not yet determined a cause of death; his cousin doubts a drug overdose was the cause and is raising money to bring his body to Senegal and to have an independent physician review the autopsy.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed). The coroner has not determined a cause, and the sheriff's office says the case remains under active investigation; his cousin doubts a drug overdose and is seeking an independent physician to review the autopsy.
Reported by: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); Orleans Parish Coroner's Office (medical examiner or coroner); his cousin.
News reports (6)
- Inmate found dead inside cell at Orleans Justice Center. What we know
- Inmate found dead Monday inside Orleans Justice Center jail, officials say
- Officials investigating after New Orleans inmate found dead in his cell
- Coroner identifies New Orleans inmate found dead in jail cell
- Family seeks answers after New Orleans jail inmate dies days before court date
- Orleans Justice Center inmate dies after cardiac arrest, 2nd jail death in 2 months