Scotty Cafego
Scotty Cafego, 45, of Hico, died on August 28, 2023, after being taken to Southern Regional Jail in Beckley. His stepdaughter, Alexis Wood, said he had occasional bouts of paranoia and that the family was not told about a serious medical problem until they reached the hospital, where he was unconscious, handcuffed to a bed and guarded. A West Virginia Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said he was found unresponsive in his cell, was revived by staff and was transferred to Charleston Area Medical Center, where he died. The family disputes this timeline and wants answers about his mental health care. The West Virginia Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and State Police are investigating the death.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed). The state says staff found him unresponsive in his cell and revived him before he died at a hospital, but his stepdaughter, Alexis Wood, disputes the timeline and says the family was not told of a serious medical problem until they reached the hospital.
Reported by: West Virginia Department of Homeland Security spokesperson (the agency that held him); stepdaughter Alexis Wood (family or their lawyers).