Sherry Joyce
Sherry Joyce, 61, grew up in Mount Vernon and served four years in the Air Force, according to her family, who say she struggled with addiction and mental illness. She was held in the mental health unit at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto, Georgia, where she died on April 27, 2024. Arrest warrants state that another prisoner strangled her, and a person has been charged in her death. Her family says they were told for months that she had passed away and believed she died of a heart attack, and that the Georgia Department of Corrections has not explained the death to them.
Cause of death, as reported: Killed by another person in custody (disputed; neglect alleged). Arrest warrants say another prisoner strangled her, while her family was told she had died of a heart attack and says the Georgia Department of Corrections has not explained the death to them.
Reported by: Habersham County sheriff's deputies (outside investigators); arrest warrants; Atlanta Journal-Constitution review of Georgia prison death data (reporters); Sherry Joyce's family (family or their lawyers).