Shali Tilson
Shali Tilson, 22, was held at the Rockdale County Jail in Georgia in March 2018 and died there nine days after his arrest. His family says he lived with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, had come home from Rhode Island to be near his family, and was in the middle of a mental health crisis. An autopsy by the GBI attributed his death to blood clots in his lungs caused by dehydration. His family and attorneys say he was left without water and not checked on for hours despite suicide watch rules, and they have filed a federal lawsuit; internal records reported by WSB-TV show deputies fell short of required 15-minute checks, and a special grand jury said medical and mental health staff failed to recognize his decline.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. The GBI autopsy attributed the death to blood clots in the lungs caused by severe dehydration, and his family's lawsuit says staff left him without water and skipped required suicide-watch checks, which a supervisor later admitted falsifying in the logs.
Reported by: Georgia Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); his family and their attorneys' federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); special grand jury.
Lawsuit: His family filed a federal lawsuit against the Rockdale County Sheriff's Office over his death, and no amount has been reported.
News reports (9)
- News report
- Inmate dies in Rockdale County jail - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Rockdale sheriff urges public not to jump to conclusions in inmate’s death - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
- Inmate found dead in Rockdale jail cell
- 2 Families Plan March After Rockdale County Jail Deaths
- Records show deputy resignation, suspension in inmate death investigation - WSB-TV
- DOJ asked to investigate deaths of 2 inmates at Rockdale County Jail
- Special Grand Jury on jail death