Stephanie Bunker
Stephanie Bunker, 39, was from Mahnomen, Minnesota, and her mother, Carol Bunker, has said she is seeking changes so others are better protected. Stephanie died by hanging herself with a bed sheet on July 1, 2017, at the Beltrami County Jail in Bemidji, where she had been held since late June. Carol Bunker's lawsuit against the county and jail staff says they were deliberately indifferent to Stephanie's known suicide risk, including a screening score that called for intervention she did not receive. The Minnesota Department of Corrections found the jail violated state rules, including late cell checks, and the lawsuit seeks $6 million and changes to jail policy.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). Carol Bunker's lawsuit says Beltrami County Jail staff and medical providers ignored Stephanie's known suicide risk and a screening score that called for intervention, and the state Department of Corrections found late cell checks.
Reported by: Carol Bunker, through a lawsuit against the county and jail staff (family or their lawyers); Minnesota Department of Corrections (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: Her mother, Carol Bunker, sued Beltrami County and jail staff over her death, seeking $6 million and changes to jail policy; no settlement or award is reported.