Valerie Jones
Valerie Jones, a disabled veteran, died in September 2009 after being held in the LaRue County jail in Kentucky. State death records list heart disease as the cause, and the autopsy was still listed as pending more than five years later. Her family's lawsuit says she was not properly treated for severe pain and was left in her cell when she needed medical attention. The suit was settled in 2011.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of illness (disputed; neglect alleged). The Department of Corrections death list gives heart disease as the cause, while her family's lawsuit alleges staff did not properly treat her severe pain and left her in her cell when she needed medical attention.
Reported by: Department of Corrections death list (the agency that held her); her family's lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: Her family sued, alleging she was not properly treated for severe pain and was left in her cell when she needed medical attention, and the suit settled in 2011.