Zahkuan Bailey-Sweeting
Zahkuan Bailey-Sweeting, 25, of New Bedford, was the youngest of five children, a beloved son and brother who loved rap music, dancing, basketball and football, and his mother called him her last baby. He was found dead in his cell in the behavioral assessment unit at Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center in Lancaster on April 10, 2025, and was pronounced dead at Leominster Hospital. The Department of Correction says he killed himself, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the death asphyxia by hanging. His family says he had repeatedly asked for mental health help, and MassLive reported that security rounds may have been missed and his medication left in his cell. His mother says she has struggled to believe it without more proof and has had trouble getting surveillance video and medical records.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (disputed; neglect alleged). The Department of Correction and the medical examiner say he killed himself by hanging; his mother struggles to believe it without more proof, family and fellow prisoners say he repeatedly called for mental health help, and MassLive reports security rounds were possibly missed and his medication was left in his cell.
Reported by: Massachusetts Department of Correction (the agency that held him); Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (medical examiner or coroner); his mother; family and friends; fellow prisoners; MassLive (reporters).