Savannah Poppell
Savannah Poppell, 24, died in her cell at the El Paso County Jail in Colorado Springs on December 11, 2022, four days after being booked. The sheriff's office said a preliminary autopsy pointed to an upper gastrointestinal bleed from an esophageal tear caused by vomiting during substance withdrawal, with the official cause and manner awaiting toxicology. Her family's lawsuit alleges that jail medical staff knew she was in withdrawal at intake, ignored her needs, and that she bled to death after vomiting violently. Her family gathered outside the jail seeking answers about why she was left alone in a cell and did not receive more medical care. El Paso County settled the case for $1.5 million, and the case against Wellpath is on hold during its bankruptcy.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. The sheriff's office said a preliminary autopsy linked her death to an esophageal tear from vomiting during substance withdrawal, and her family's lawsuit alleges jail medical staff knew she was in withdrawal at intake and ignored her needs.
Reported by: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held her); family's lawsuit against Wellpath (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family sued Wellpath and El Paso County, and the county settled for $1.5 million while the case against Wellpath is on hold during its bankruptcy.
News reports (4)
- 24-year-old inmate passes away at El Paso County Jail
- Family and protesters gather outside El Paso County jail after inmate death
- Documents allege El Paso County inmates suffered death, major injuries from negligence
- Documents allege El Paso County inmates suffered death, major injuries from negligence