William Anthony Miller
William Anthony Miller died in 2014 in his cell at the Rutherford County Jail, where officials said he hanged himself. He had been considered suicidal and was supposed to be checked four times an hour, but an inspection found he had not been checked for at least an hour before he was found. The Sheriff's Office later settled a claim with his family for $9,000.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). A Department of Health and Human Services inspection found that Rutherford County Jail staff did not perform the required four-per-hour checks on Miller, who was considered suicidal, and had not checked him for at least an hour before he was found hanging in his cell.
Reported by: Department of Health and Human Services (outside investigators).
Lawsuit: The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office settled a claim with his family for $9,000.