Samah Yellardy
Samah Yellardy, 29, died on November 7, 2013, while held at Powhatan Correctional Center in Powhatan County, Virginia. His mother said he had no known medical problems and that he had complained of severe side pain before he died. The warden's account, as relayed to the family, attributed the death to a massive heart attack, but the family disputes that explanation. The state medical examiner's findings were still pending, and the family says the prison had not told them the time of death, who pronounced him dead, or when he received medical care.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The warden attributed the death to a massive heart attack, but his mother disputes that account, says he complained of severe side pain before he died, and the state medical examiner's ruling is still pending.
Reported by: Powhatan Correctional Center warden (the agency that held him); his mother.