Note: Some of the following information is disturbing, including descriptions of suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, you can call theSuicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988.
The Commercial Appeal has collected data on all individuals reported to have died in the custody of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, including those who died in the Shelby County Jail, known as 201 Poplar, or Jail East (the women’s jail) and those shot by deputies while an arrest was attempted.
Data, which is compiled from sheriff’s office records, official autopsies and lawsuits, covers deaths from the beginning of 2016 through August 9, 2023.
The list shows that most of those who have died in the sheriff's office custody are men and the majority are Black. Prior to conviction, men are held at 201 Poplar and women are held at Jail East unless they are granted, and can make, bail. If not, stays can drag out for months.
Many of the individuals have records of years of interaction with the criminal justice system, including multiple arrests, misdemeanor citations and records of mental health needs.
And for many, their history with the criminal justice system ends with a single phrase listed in the Shelby County Criminal Justice System Portal: “Abated by death.”
Entries noted with an asterisk indicate they were shot by deputies and did not become injured or die inside a jail. Two asterisks denote other cases where the individual was not booked into jail prior to his or her death.
In some cases, spellings of names vary from records provided by the sheriff’s office, the county’s criminal justice system portal or the official autopsy. The CA is using spellings from the official autopsies or, if no autopsy is available, sheriff’s office information.
Jan. 22, 2016 — Antonio Morrison
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 25
Cause of death:Suicide
Morrison was discovered hanging in his cell in 201 Poplar. Charged with rape, aggravated assault and aggravated sexual battery, to which he pleaded not guilty, he had been held in a medical area due to mental health conditions including bipolar disorder and attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
Records indicate that Morrison was arraigned Oct. 19, 2015.
Sept. 4, 2016 — Edmund Studdard*
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 46
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
As deputies responded to a hit-and-run, they saw Studdard walking down the street with a knife. Studdard was shot during the encounter and pronounced dead at Regional One Health two months later. He was shot at least three times. Studdard had a history of alcohol and drug use and depression with suicidal ideation.
Shelby County Government paid $800,000 to settle a lawsuit with Studdard’s family, who argued that Studdard was suffering a mental health crisis and had cut his wrists before being shot by deputies in Cordova in July 2016, dying two months later.
Dec. 17, 2016 — Jimmy Lawson*
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 48
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
As deputies checked on a domestic disturbance in Lakeland, Lawson threatened them with a knife. Lawson was shot twice. Records indicate he had a history of mental illness.
Former District Attorney General Amy Weirich, after a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation inquiry, announced that the deputies who killed Lawson would not be charged.
Jan. 3, 2017 — Alex Jamerson**
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 22
Cause of death:Injuries from vehicle accident
Jamerson was injured in a crash during which he lost control of the vehicle, causing it to spin and hit another vehicle. He was taken to Regional One Health, where he was pronounced dead. His charges included aggravated assault, reckless driving and driving under the influence.
May 4, 2017 — Frank Perry
Race:Unknown
Sex:Unknown
Age: 64
Cause of death:No autopsy was provided. Sheriff’s office notes indicate it was related to an illness
Sheriff’s office notes indicate that Perry likely died from an illness and that the Tennessee Department of Corrections did not provide an autopsy.
Records indicate Perry was first jailed on Dec. 15, 2014, on charges of second-degree murder and employing a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, but that his case was later held to the state with another jail arraignment on May 15, 2015. He was transferred from the Department of Corrections to the Shelby County Jail on April 27, 2017, where he later died.
July 2, 2017 — Nathaniel Martin
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 75
Cause of death:Atherosclerotic hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Records indicate that Martin was taken from jail to Regional One, where he was diagnosed with gangrene and diabetes mellitus. He underwent surgery but died.
Records indicate that he was booked into the jail on May 1, 2017, on charges of aggravated sexual battery.
Aug. 4, 2017 — Cedric Smith
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 33
Cause of death:Acute myocardial infarction due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and complications of infective endocarditis
Smith was taken from jail to Methodist University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He had a history of endocarditis and heart valve replacement. His autopsy notes that intravenous drug abuse contributed to his death and that he had a history of heroin use.
Records indicate he was booked into the jail on July 19, 2017, after violating the conditions of his bail. He had been charged with aggravated burglary and several charges of theft of property $1,000 or less, with an affidavit saying he had stolen property from his father.
Oct. 20, 2017 — Robert Faulkner
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 62
Cause of death:Sepsis and acute bronchopneumonia due to complications of prostate cancer
Faulkner was taken from jail to Regional One, where he died from sepsis and acute bronchopneumonia due to complications of prostate cancer.
He was convicted of first-degree murder in 2001. Records indicate he was in the process of petitioning for post-conviction relief when he died.
Nov. 8, 2017 — Malvin Gibbs**
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 72
Cause of death:Pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, contributing atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Gibbs was exiting a sheriff’s office transport van when he collapsed in the entryway of 201 Poplar. His cause of death was determined to be combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, with contributing cardiovascular disease.
According to records, Gibbs, who was experiencing homelessness, had violated the reporting requirements of the sex offender registry, with a warrant issued for his arrest in August 2017. A preliminary hearing was held in his case on Oct. 9, 2017.
Jan. 1, 2018 — Donald Jones
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 63
Cause of death:Ischemic bowel due to volvulus due to complications of colon cancer
Jones was discovered unresponsive in his bunk in an ambulatory medical unit of the jail. He was taken to Regional One, where he was declared dead. He had a history of colon cancer.
Records indicate that Jones had been in and out of jail for a 2015 domestic assault and vandalism charges, then violating probation in 2016. He was last arraigned Dec. 11, 2017.
Jan. 17, 2018 — Bryan Gregory*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 34
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Gregory was involved in a shooting with the sheriff’s office, then taken to Regional One where he was pronounced dead. A toxicology report found oxycodone and marijuana in his system. He was shot once.
He had a history of drug-related charges.
Jan. 30, 2018 — Roy Dunbar
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 50
Cause of death:Lobar pneumonia and atherosclerotic coronary heart disease
Dunbar was found unresponsive in his cell, then taken to Methodist University Hospital. The cause of death was lobar pneumonia and atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.
Charged with robbery and aggravated rape, Dunbar was arraigned on Jan. 17, 2018.
Feb. 20, 2018 — Jerome Givhan
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 53
Cause of death:Peritonitis due to perforated duodenal ulcer
Givhan was discovered unresponsive in his cell, then taken to Methodist University Hospital. He had a history of hypertension, diabetes, mellitus, obesity and psychological problems.
Charged with aggravated criminal trespass, a misdemeanor, Givhan was arrested Jan. 30, 2018.
March 15, 2018 — Carl Ewing
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 59
Cause of death:Refractory acute respiratory distress syndrome due to sepsis due to complications of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus pneumonia
Ewing was taken to Regional One Health from jail. He was diagnosed with pneumonia, sepsis and encephalopathy and died one month after admission to ROH. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease was a contributing factor.
Charged with aggravated burglary, theft of property $1,000 or less and possession of marijuana, Ewing had been arraigned Oct. 19, 2017.
June 27, 2018 — Zavier Palmer**
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 27
Cause of death:Complications from a gunshot wound to the torso
Palmer was the victim of an assault and was taken directly to Regional One Health, where he was pronounced dead.
Records indicate Palmer was out on bail after an arrest earlier that month for three charges of aggravated assault, a charge of aggravated burglary and a charge of aggravated robbery.
July 2, 2018 — Steven Gomez
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 20
Cause of death:Anoxic encephalopathy post-cardiopulmonary arrest and resuscitation due to methamphetamine toxicity
When Gomez was taken into sheriff’s office custody, it was reported that he had ingested drugs. He was taken to a hospital and died a few days after being resuscitated. According to a lawsuit, Gomez ingested the drugs in the backseat of a deputy’s car and was first taken to jail, not the hospital. The lawsuit is currently on appeal.
Records indicate Gomez was out on bond after being charged that June with drug charges.
Oct. 13, 2018 — Santrez Traylor
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 34
Cause of death:Suicide
Traylor was discovered hanging from his bunk by a bed sheet in 201 Poplar. He was taken to Regional One and was declared dead by asphyxia due to hanging.
Records indicate Traylor had been arrested earlier that month for second-degree murder and aggravated assault.
Oct. 17, 2018 — Keyshon Parham*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 19
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
As Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant, there was an altercation and Parham was shot six times.
Records indicate he was wanted for felony theft of property, with a warrant issued Oct. 2, 2018.
Dec. 14, 2018 — Larry Gilliam
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 63
Cause of death:Hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with contributing conditions pulmonary emphysema, diabetes mellitus
Gilliam died at 201 Poplar, with the death determined to be caused by hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Records indicate Gilliam had been arrested on multiple drug charges dating to Sept. 2017.
Feb. 7, 2019 — Jason Hill*
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 40
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Sheriff’s deputies held a stakeout to serve a narcotics warrant for Hill. According to records, he came out and began shooting at deputies, who returned fire. He was shot five times.
March 14, 2019 — Justin Brewer
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 33
Cause of death:Suicide
Brewer was found hanging in his cell at 201 Poplar and pronounced brain dead later that day.
Records indicate he was jailed in late February 2019 after failing to comply with the conditions of his bail on two drug charges.
Aug. 5, 2019 — James Kirkwood*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 49
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Kirkwood was shot seven times during an altercation with deputies. He was taken to Regional One after being shot.
He had previously spent time in jail for violating the sex offender registry.
Aug. 19, 2019 — Jeffrey Ferrell
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 49
Cause of death:Atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Ferrell collapsed while playing basketball at 201 Poplar, then was taken to Regional One and pronounced dead. A note in his autopsy says, “BB in heat—heat stroke?”
Records indicate Ferrell was held without bond in July of that year on felony drug charges.
Sept. 18, 2019 — Willie Hudson*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 33
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Deputies were executing an arrest warrant when Hudson was shot 48 times, according to his autopsy.
Records indicate he had bonded out in March 2018 after being charged with multiple counts of firearm and drug charges.
Oct. 14, 2019 — James Owens
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 32
Cause of death:Hypertensive cardiovascular disease status post tricuspid valve repair
Owens was discovered unresponsive in his cell. His death was determined to be due to acute bacterial pneumonia and pyelonephritis, contributing to hypertensive cardiovascular disease status after a tricuspid valve repair.
Records indicate Owens was booked into the jail on Oct. 6, 2019, for three misdemeanor drug charges.
Dec. 27, 2019 — Sam Carr
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 60
Cause of death:Complications of metastatic carcinoma of the urinary bladder
Carr became ill while at 201 Poplar, then was taken to Regional One where he died. He had a history of bladder cancer.
Records indicate Carr had been jailed since at least January 2018 for the rape of a child and two charges of aggravated sexual battery.
Feb. 15, 2020 — Tommy Young
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 32
Cause of death:Suicide
Young was found unresponsive in his cell, hanging from a torn bedsheet tied to a bar in the cell. Notes indicate he was diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Records indicate Young was jailed earlier that year for a misdemeanor assault charge from November 2017 that occurred when he was incarcerated at the penal farm at 1045 Mullins Station Rd.
July 15, 2020 — Richard Willingham
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 46
Cause of death:Pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis of the left leg
Willingham was in a cell alone when he began to have difficulty breathing. He was taken to Regional One where he died. The cause was pulmonary thromboembolism due to deep vein thrombosis of the left leg. Contributing causes included obesity, hypertensive cardiovascular disease and COVID-19.
Records indicate Willingham was jailed in late June on a charge of aggravated assault.
July 17, 2020 — Michael McCabe
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 36
Cause of death:Suicide
McCabe was found hanging in his cell at 201 Poplar, a death ruled a suicide.
He had been charged with identity theft and multiple misdemeanor fraud charges. He was booked on July 14 and then released on his own recognizance, then booked again on July 16.
July 21, 2020 — Demarcus Jarrett
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 29
Cause of death:Upper Gastrointestinal bleed of undetermined etiology with anticoagulant therapy and fentanyl, morphine and tramadol toxicity contributing
Jarrett was found unresponsive in his cell and taken to Regional One. He was found to have died due to an upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage of undetermined etiology. Contributing factors included anticoagulant therapy and fentanyl, morphine and tramadol toxicity.
Records indicate Jarrett was charged with theft after he and another man stole seven cases of beer valued at a total of $119 from a Walgreens.
Sept. 10, 2020 — Jonathan Darsaw*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 49
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Darsaw was shot nine times while barricaded in his Moscow, Tennessee home. An autopsy determined that his head wound was likely self-inflicted, while other wounds were likely shot by deputies. His manner of death “could not be determined,” with the autopsy unable to determine if he was killed by a self-inflicted wound or shots fired by officers.
Oct. 1, 2020 — Joseph Johnson
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 64
Cause of death:Metastatic malignant neoplasm of the lung, contributing cirrhosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Johnson was taken to Methodist University Hospital from jail due to respiratory issues. He had a history of lung cancer, COPD and liver cirrhosis.
Records indicate he was arraigned in September 2018 for rape of a child and two counts of aggravated sexual battery.
Nov. 3, 2020 — Bobby Sellers
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 48
Cause of death:Suicide
Sellers was discovered hanging unresponsive in his cell at 201 Poplar.
Records indicate he was arraigned in October 2020 for aggravated assault and evading arrest.
Nov. 5, 2020 — Charles Johnson
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 21
Cause of death:Suicide
Johnson was discovered having attempted suicide by hanging with a sheet. He was taken to a hospital, where he died five days later. His medical history included bipolar disorder with previous suicidal ideation and threats, with one threat of suicide approximately three weeks before his death.
Records indicate he had been charged with aggravated assault and violating the conditions of his bail.
A lawsuit regarding Johnson’s death is currently ongoing in circuit court.
Nov. 7, 2020 — Corey Jackson
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 41
Cause of death:Acute fentanyl and promethazine intoxication
Jackson was found unresponsive in the shower at the jail. A deputy advised at the time that his death might be related to fentanyl exposure. A urine screen found that he was positive for cocaine, fentanyl and THC.
Dec. 20, 2020 — Timothy Black
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 21
Cause of death:Natural complications of acute myeloid leukemia
Black was taken from 201 Poplar first to Regional One and later to a hospital, where he died of natural complications of acute myeloid leukemia.
Records indicate Black was indicted in August 2020 after previously bonding out after being charged with second-degree murder and employing a firearm with the intent to commit a felony.
Feb. 22, 2021 — Richard Higgs
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 58
Cause of death:Complications of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate
Higgs died at Regional One due to complications of metastatic adenocarcinoma of the prostate. A contributory cause was atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Records indicate Higgs was arraigned in 2019 for three counts of aggravated assault.
May 1, 2021 — Kenneth Melton
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 55
Cause of death:Suicide
Melton was found hanging in his cell at 201 Poplar, then taken to Regional One where he was pronounced dead.
Records indicate Melton was arrested in late April on multiple drug-related felonies.
April 15, 2021 — Kristopher Miller
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 33
Cause of death:Suicide
Miller was found hanging from his cell door by a sheet, then taken to Regional One where he died.
Records indicate Miller was arrested earlier that month for multiple vehicle-related charges, including driving under the influence.
Aug. 10, 2021 — Nicholas Dancy
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 63
Cause of death:Acute respiratory distress syndrome and interstitial pneumonia due to COVID-19. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were contributing factors.
Dancy was found unresponsive in his cell at 201 Poplar.
He had been arrested on multiple driving-related charges, including driving under the influence and reckless driving.
Aug. 16, 2021 — Antonio Jackson*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 26
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Jackson was shot by a deputy after running over a second deputy with his car and attempting to run over a third deputy, according to law enforcement records. He died at Regional One, shot once in the chest.
He had a history of convictions ranging from burglary to vandalism to unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Oct. 8, 2021 — Alex Wenrick
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 31
Cause of death:Para-fluorofentanyl toxicity
Wenrick was found unresponsive in his cell at 201 Poplar. The cause of death was determined to be para-fluorofentanyl toxicity. He had a history of drug use and mental health issues, including post-traumatic stress disorder, psychosis and suicidal ideation.
Records indicate Wenrick was arrested on June 15, 2021, on charges of felony theft and misdemeanor assault.
Oct. 19, 2021 — Robert Turner
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 59
Cause of death:Suicide
Turner was found hanging in his cell, then taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Records indicate Turner was arrested on Oct. 17, 2021, for criminal attempted robbery.
A lawsuit over his death recently reached a confidential settlement outside of court, according to attorney Jeff Rosenblum.
Nov. 3, 2021 — Denny Fugatt
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 46
Cause of death:Suicide
Fugatt was found hanging in his cell at 201 Poplar, then taken to Regional One where he was pronounced dead. He reportedly had a history of major depressive disorder and a prior suicide attempt by hanging.
Records indicate Fugatt was arraigned Oct. 18, 2021, on a felony theft charge.
Nov. 22, 2021 — William Trentham
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 40
Cause of death:Fentanyl, mitragynine and chlordiazepoxide toxicity
Trentham was found unresponsive in his cell. The cause of death was determined to be fentanyl, mitragynine and chlordiazepoxide toxicity. A substance that tested positive for fentanyl was found in his cell.
Records indicate Trentham was arrested on Nov. 19, 2021, on a felony robbery charge.
Nov. 23, 2021 — Jonathan Anguiano
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 19
Cause of death:“Cannot be determined”
Anguiano was discovered in the shower at 201 Poplar, then taken to Regional One where he was found to have a head/brain injury. Sheriff's office employees said he had been alone in the shower and fell, striking his head. An autopsy said the cause of his death could not be determined.
Nov. 25, 2021 — Lamont Cummings
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 59
Cause of death:Gastrointestinal hemorrhage, cirrhosis and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
Cummings was taken from the jail to Regional One for a gastrointestinal bleed. He suffered from cirrhosis, Hepatitis C, diabetes and hypertension.
Records indicate Cummings was arraigned on Jan. 10, 2020, charged with theft of property, evading arrest, resisting official detention and criminal impersonation.
Jan. 9, 2022 — George Declue
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 56
Cause of death:Hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Declue was found unresponsive in his holding cell 10 hours after being booked into the jail. The cause of death was determined to be hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Evidence of injury was found, including blunt trauma of the head, but no lethal trauma was identified.
The CA could not find Declue in the county’s criminal justice portal.
Jan. 12, 2022 — Tracy Gill
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 29
Cause of death:Acute fentanyl intoxication
Gill was found unresponsive in jail by his cellmate. His death was a suspected overdose and determined to be caused by acute fentanyl intoxication. He had a history of substance use.
Records indicate Gill was charged with a January 2021 aggravated assault. He posted bond in April 2021 but was booked back into the jail in November 2021.
Jan. 26, 2022 — Malcolm Ford
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 39
Cause of death:Bronchopneumonia
Ford died at Regional One after being admitted the day prior for extreme weight loss. He had stopped talking four weeks before admission and stopped eating two weeks prior to admission. He had a history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, substance use and suicidal ideation.
Records indicate Ford was arrested in October 2021 for violating the sex offender registry.
Jan. 26, 2022 — John Hunt*
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 20
Cause of death:Gunshot wound
Hunt was shot one time while in a standoff with deputies. He died of a single gunshot wound to the head.
The CA could not find any criminal record in Shelby County for Hunt.
Feb. 10, 2022 — Tyras Watkins
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 45
Cause of death:Bronchopneumonia, with contributing hypertensive cardiovascular disease with diabetes mellites
According to his autopsy, Watkins had a history of psychosis and medicine non-compliance and had recently refused to eat for several weeks before being taken to Regional One, where he died.
Watkins had been charged with burglary of a motor vehicle and theft of property $1,000 or less. He had a history of other charges such as disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.
Feb. 12, 2022 — James Wilkes
Race:White
Sex:Male
Age: 34
Cause of death:Fentanyl toxicity, accidental
Wilkes was found unresponsive at 201 Poplar, then confirmed dead. The cause was determined to be fentanyl toxicity.
Records indicate Wilkes was arraigned in September 2020 on charges of attempted first-degree murder, employing a firearm with the intent to commit a felony and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon.
Febr. 23, 2022 — Courtney Jackson**
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 43
Cause of death:Multiple blunt force injuries from a traffic incident
Jackson was taken directly from the scene of a traffic crash to Regional One, where he died. He had outstanding warrants and had been in custody for several days preceding his death.
Records indicate Jackson had been released on bail about a week earlier after being charged with aggravated assault, aggravated burglary, aggravated stalking and two firearm charges.
Feb. 27, 2022 — Antonio Davis
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 33
Cause of death:Acute methamphetamine toxicity, contributing hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Davis was found unresponsive in his cell at 201 Poplar by guards, then taken to Regional One where he was pronounced dead. The cause was determined to be acute methamphetamine toxicity with contributing hypertensive cardiovascular disease.
Records show Davis had been convicted of multiple charges, including first-degree murder and second-degree murder. He was indicted in 2016, tried in 2021 and had, in January 2022, begun seeking a new trial.
June 14, 2022 — Desmond Shipp
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 43
Cause of death:Hypertensive cardiovascular disease and degenerative valve disease
Shipp was in jail when he began having nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. He was taken to Regional One with cardiogenic shock, sepsis, a history of heart failure, hypertension and polysubstance abuse.
Records indicate Shipp was arrested in May 2022, charged with manufacturing a controlled substance, felony theft, possessing a firearm during a dangerous felony and unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon.
Sept. 6, 2022 — Stanley Campbell
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 64
Cause of death:Hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Contributing causes were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity.
Campbell was at 201 Poplar when he complained of chest pain on Sept. 3, 2022. He was taken to Regional One, where he died. His cause of death was ruled to be hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Contributing causes were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity.
Records indicate Campbell was arraigned in January 2019 on the charge of rape of a child and two charges of aggravated sexual battery.
Oct. 5, 2022 — Gershun Freeman
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 33
Cause of death:Exacerbation of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease due to physical altercation and subdual. Probable psychotic disorder is listed as a contributing cause. The manner of death is listed as homicide.
Freeman was involved in a physical altercation with officers and eventually restrained. He had a cardiac arrest and CPR was initiated until he was pronounced dead at the scene. His autopsy revealed multiple contusions, a scalp laceration and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Freeman’s family has sued Shelby County over his death, and the lawsuit is ongoing.
Records indicate Freeman was booked into the jail Oct. 1, 2022, on charges of aggravated kidnapping and aggravated assault.
Oct. 20, 2022 — Demarion Walker
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 24
Cause of death:Metastatic Poorly Differentiated Adenocarcinoma of the Rectum, contributing pyomyositis and COVID-19 infection
Walker died at Regional One, where he had been taken a day prior for medical complications reportedly due to COVID-19. He had a history of gastrointestinal cancer and COVID-19. He also had an infection in his right thigh. An autopsy noted a tumor mass in the rectum as well as multiple masses in his liver and a lymph node.
Records indicate Walker was charged with being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of a prohibited weapon, driving with a license that was suspended or revoked and operating a car with reflectorized windows.
Nov. 4, 2022 — Leaudre Isabell
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 24
Cause of death:Suicide
Isabell was found hanging by a bedsheet in his cell, with his death ruled a suicide.
Records indicate Isabell was arrested in April 2022 on two charges of first-degree murder and three charges of criminal attempted first-degree murder.
Nov. 24, 2022 — Marcus Donald (Autopsy pending)
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 38
Cause of death:Autopsy pending
Donald died at Regional One. His cellmate was charged with his murder.
Records indicate he was booked into the jail on May 6, 2022, for misdemeanor assault, to which he plead guilty.
Dec. 30, 2022 — Clinis Strong (autopsy pending)
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 57
Cause of death:Autopsy pending
Strong died at Regional One with a variety of preexisting medical conditions, according to the sheriff’s office. An autopsy is pending.
Records indicate Strong was arrested Oct. 9 for felony vandalism and misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Feb. 5, 2023 — Christopher Petties
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 35
Cause of death:Intracranial hemorrhage due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease
Petties died at Regional One a day after collapsing at 201 Poplar. An autopsy found his death was caused by intracranial hemorrhage due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease with myocarditis and epicarditis contributing.
March 18, 2023 — Melissa Horton* (autopsy pending)
Race: White
Sex: Female
Age: 43
Cause of death: Autopsy pending, but sheriff's office believes her death was caused by a gunshot wound.
Horton was fatally shot by a Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputy in Bartlett after being pulled over by law enforcement officers who believed she had been involved in a domestic violence incident.
March 31, 2023 — Avon Rollins (autopsy pending)
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 39
Cause of death:The Commercial Appeal has not yet reviewed Rollins' autopsy, but the Shelby County Sheriff's Office has said he died of fentanyl toxicity.
May 1, 2023 — Antonio Golden (autopsy pending)
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 27
Cause of death:Autopsy pending
Records indicate Golden was arrested on April 25, 2023, on charges of felony aggravated arson. His autopsy is pending.
June 24, 2023 — Jarveon Hudspeth* (autopsy pending)
Race:Black
Sex:Male
Age: 21
Cause of death:Autopsy pending, assumed to be caused by a gunshot wound.
Hudspeth was shot and killed by a sheriff’s deputy during the course of a June 24 traffic stop. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said Hudspeth drove away, dragging the deputy 100 yards before the deputy shot Hudspeth.
Hudspeth’s family and attorney Ben Crump have demanded that the Sheriff’s Office release video of the fatal traffic stop, video of which has not yet been released.
Aug. 4, 2023 — Kimberly Clark * (autopsy pending)
Race:Black
Sex:Female
Age: 43
Cause of death:Autopsy pending
Clark was found unresponsive in her cell at the Shelby County Jail East for Women, then taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital-Memphis, where she was pronounced dead.
The sheriff's office announced they are investigating her death and believe there was no foul play.
Clark, according to court records, was arrested on Aug. 2 and charged with criminal impersonation and permitting or facilitating escape. She was given a $2,500 bail on Aug. 3, less than 24 hours before her death.
Katherine Burgess covers government and religion. She can be reached at katherine.burgess@commercialappeal.comor followed on Twitter @kathsburgess.
