Savannah Sparks
Savannah Sparks, 27, was a mother of three. In April 2012 she was held at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections jail while withdrawing from heroin, and she died six days after she was first held there. The medical examiner listed the cause of death as complications of chronic substance abuse with withdrawal. A wrongful death suit alleged that Corizon and jail staff failed to treat her withdrawal, and Corizon settled the suit confidentially. In January 2014, police investigators and the Commonwealth's Attorney found her death preventable, though no criminal charges were filed.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff (disputed). The medical examiner attributed the death to complications of chronic substance abuse with withdrawal; her wrongful death suit says Corizon and jail staff failed to treat her withdrawal, and police investigators and the Commonwealth's Attorney later found the death preventable.
Reported by: medical examiner or coroner; wrongful death suit; police investigators and the Commonwealth's Attorney (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: Her family sued Corizon and jail staff over her death, and Corizon settled the suit for a confidential amount.