Spencer Wayne Swearnger
Spencer Wayne Swearnger, 52, died in November 2023 while held at the Dallas County Jail in Texas. His family's wrongful death lawsuit says he was in a mental health crisis and that jail staff failed to properly monitor him, despite a history of mental illness and self-harm. The lawsuit attributes his death to water intoxication, and says the county had not changed its policies or training after two earlier jail deaths linked to the same cause. The county has not been reported to accept those claims, and the Dallas County Commissioners Court could vote on a $1.5 million settlement of the suit.
Cause of death, as reported: Died from neglect by staff. His wrongful death lawsuit says jail staff failed to properly monitor him despite his history of mental illness and self-harm, and that he died of water intoxication.
Reported by: wrongful death lawsuit.
Lawsuit: His family sued Dallas County over his death in the Dallas County jail, and the commissioners court could vote on a $1.5 million settlement of the suit.