Vincent Rowell
Vincent Rowell was 21, and his mother, Linda Rowell, a housekeeper, spent years fighting to learn how he died. He was booked into the Walker County Jail in Jasper in September 2009, and six days later he was found dead on the floor of his cell. The medical examiner found that a large bruise on his hip had caused internal bleeding and a blood clot that traveled to his lung, and the death was labeled an accident. His mother says he was injured by police and begged for help that never came, and she sued over his death.
Cause of death, as reported: Died in an accident (disputed; neglect alleged). The state medical examiner ruled the death an accident from a blood clot after a hip bruise, while his mother says police hurt him and jail staff ignored his begging for help, and she has sued.
Reported by: Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences medical examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his mother and her lawsuit.
Lawsuit: His mother sued after the medical examiner labeled his 2009 death at the Walker County Jail an accident, and no settlement or award amount is reported.