Zachary Sutley
Zachary Sutley, 20, of Oil City, was held at the Venango County Prison in Pennsylvania, where he died on August 11, 2024. An online obituary described him as having a kind soul and a good heart, and said he enjoyed sculpting, drawing and bowling. The Venango County Coroner said an autopsy performed in Erie found the cause of death to be asphyxia due to hanging. His mother, Florence Sutley, says in a federal wrongful death lawsuit that he had asked for suicide watch, that no medical professional evaluated him, that required rounds were not made or recorded, and that staff gave false accounts of rounds.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The coroner's autopsy found asphyxia due to hanging, and his mother's federal wrongful death lawsuit alleges that staff ignored requests for suicide watch, no medical professional evaluated him, required rounds were not made or recorded, and lifesaving steps were not taken when he was found.
Reported by: Venango County Coroner Christina Rugh (medical examiner or coroner); Florence Sutley, his mother and estate administrator, in a federal wrongful death lawsuit (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His mother, Florence Sutley, sued in federal court over his death at Venango County Prison, alleging staff ignored suicide-watch requests and falsified rounds, and no settlement or award has been reported.