Siras Theus
Siras Jeremain Theus, 47, of Jasper, died at the Walker County Jail in Alabama. The Walker County coroner and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said he suffered a suspected medical emergency around 9:15 p.m. on April 19, 2024, and was pronounced dead early the next morning. Sheriff Nick Smith said he believes the death was from natural causes, and an autopsy was sent to the state forensic lab. A lawsuit filed by his family alleges that jail medical staff and an officer ignored his worsening symptoms, including signs of withdrawal, a seizure and trouble breathing, and did not send him back to a hospital. The suit also says he was given a Haldol injection on April 19 in place of hospital care.
Cause of death, as reported: Cause not yet determined (disputed; neglect alleged). The sheriff believes the death was natural, while his brother's and estate's lawsuits allege jail staff ignored worsening symptoms, withdrawal and seizures, did not send him to a hospital, and gave him a Haldol injection before he was found unresponsive.
Reported by: Sheriff Nick Smith (the agency that held him); Walker County coroner (medical examiner or coroner); ALEA State Bureau of Investigation (outside investigators); his brother's lawsuit (family or their lawyers); his estate's wrongful-death lawsuit (family or their lawyers); family lawsuit against the jail's medical provider and a correctional officer (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His brother and his estate filed lawsuits alleging jail staff failed to monitor him or get him medical care before his death at the Walker County Jail.
News reports (6)
- State agency investigating death of Walker County Jail inmate
- ALEA investigating death of inmate at Walker County Jail
- Ala. sheriff calls for 24/7 jail medical services following inmate’s death
- New lawsuit claims Walker County Jail detainee died after lack of medical care
- Family suing Walker County correctional officer, medical provider over inmate death
- Walker County jail death lawsuit alleges failures in medical care and oversight