Wayne Sanchez
Wayne Sanchez, 62, was held at the Natrona County jail in Casper, Wyoming, in March 2023 while awaiting trial. According to the Natrona County coroner, he died of a methamphetamine overdose. His sister's federal lawsuit says the hospital and officers failed to provide adequate care, including the jail nurse declining to admit him after he was brought in shaking and seizing. A doctor at Banner Wyoming Medical Center reportedly said he was faking and cleared him to return to the jail, and he stopped breathing as the patrol car reached the sally port. The lawsuit's claims have not been decided, and the Casper Police Department has said the death appeared medical and is under internal review.
Cause of death, as reported: Died of an overdose (disputed; neglect alleged). The Natrona County coroner ruled it a methamphetamine overdose, his sister's federal lawsuit says the hospital and officers failed to provide adequate care, and Casper police said the cause appeared medical and is under investigation.
Reported by: Natrona County coroner (medical examiner or coroner); his sister's federal lawsuit (family or their lawyers); Casper Police Department (the agency that held him).
Lawsuit: His sister filed a federal lawsuit arguing that the hospital and officers failed to provide adequate care, and no amount has been reported.