William Samples
William Samples, 45, was found dead in his cell at the South Central Regional Jail in Kanawha County, West Virginia, on a Sunday morning in March 2023, during a routine staff check. The state Division of Corrections said the apparent cause was a self-inflicted injury, and the Division of Corrections and State Police are investigating. His family disputes that his death was a suicide. His sister Victoria and mother Sandra say he was terrified because of threats from other people held at the jail.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed). The state Division of Corrections said the apparent cause was a self-inflicted injury, while his family disputes that his death was a suicide.
Reported by: West Virginia Division of Corrections (the agency that held him); William Samples's family (family or their lawyers).