Skyler Wright
Skyler Wright died by suicide in his cell at the Aiken County detention center in October 2020, the lawsuit says. His father, Stuart Wright, sued the sheriff's office as personal representative of his son's estate, alleging inadequate suicide prevention, supervision and cell checks despite known mental illness and prior suicide attempts. The lawsuit says a deputy found him unresponsive during a routine check. The sheriff's office denied liability, and the case settled for $150,000, with the court approving the settlement on June 30, 2023.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The estate of Skyler Wright alleges staff failed at suicide prevention, supervision and cell checks despite known mental illness and prior suicide attempts, and the Aiken County Sheriff's Office denied liability.
Reported by: Estate of Skyler Wright (lawsuit) (family or their lawyers); Aiken County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His father sued the Aiken County Sheriff's Office over his death, alleging inadequate suicide prevention, and the case settled for $150,000 with court approval on June 30, 2023.