Sean Whiting
Sean Whiting, 35, died on December 23, 2022, in the Intake Release Center of the Orange County jail, two days after he was taken into custody. The Orange County District Attorney's Office said he died by suicide by choking on orange peels he had stuffed down his throat, and found no negligence by jail staff. His parents, David Whiting and Susan Smith, sued the county, alleging he was mentally ill and should have been monitored more closely, and the county settled for $3 million. His father's attorney disputes the district attorney's finding, citing a psychiatric appointment held by video and delayed review of monitoring footage, and David Whiting has said he hopes for justice for his son and other families.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The Orange County district attorney's office says he died by suicide and found no jail negligence, but his family's lawsuit and attorney say he was mentally ill and should have been monitored more closely, including that deputies let him keep food waste in his cell and that video review of monitoring was delayed.
Reported by: Orange County District Attorney's Office; his family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His parents sued Orange County over his death, and the county settled for $3 million, approved by the Board of Supervisors.