Saul Hernandez de la Torre
Saul Hernandez de la Torre, a 21-year-old man, was held at the La Plata County jail under an agreement with Archuleta County. According to a lawsuit filed by his mother, Jhenna Hernandez de la Torre, and his estate, he was placed on suicide watch and sent a request for help that went unanswered, and he died by hanging with a bedsheet in his cell on May 26, 2019. The lawsuit, brought with attorney David Lane, names the counties and alleges wrongful death and failure to train. A federal judge has allowed the wrongful death and failure-to-train claims against the counties to proceed, and dismissed the wrongful death claim against Archuleta County.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The family's lawsuit says Saul Hernandez de la Torre died by hanging with a bedsheet in his cell after jail staff failed to keep him on suicide watch, and that his request for help went unanswered.
Reported by: lawsuit by Jhenna Hernandez de la Torre and the estate of Saul Hernandez de la Torre; attorney David Lane (family or their lawyers); federal court.
Lawsuit: His family and estate sued over his death, and a federal judge allowed the wrongful death and failure-to-train claims against the counties to proceed while dismissing the wrongful death claim against Archuleta County; no settlement or award amount has been reported.