Samuel Fagan
Sam Fagan, 20, was taken to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office jail on 4th Avenue in April 2023, while his family was arranging treatment and bond. His parents, Jill and David Fagan, wanted him to get help, and his mother had planned to take him to rehab once he had sobered up. His parents say a detective told them he had attempted suicide in his cell and suffered brain damage that could not be reversed, and that they were not notified until days later. Sam died at a Phoenix hospital on April 13, 2023, after being placed on life support. The sheriff's office has listed his death as in its custody, and the circumstances of his injury are not established in these accounts.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff's office says Sam attempted suicide in his cell, and his parents say a detective told them the same, but his parents also say they were not notified until days later, which they present as a failure of notification rather than of care.
Reported by: Maricopa County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); his parents.