In a tragic case that highlights the disturbing conditions within the criminal justice system, Lashawn Thompson, a 35-year-old inmate, met a horrifying fate after three months in Fulton County Jail.
The news of his death has sent shockwaves through the nation, prompting renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump and attorney Michael Harper to join forces with Thompson’s family in demanding justice.
The recent news conference revealed the autopsy findings that provided evidence of extreme neglect.
The examination, conducted by a prominent forensic pathologist, paints a disturbing picture of Thompson’s final months, marked by malnutrition, dehydration, and a body infested with insects.
“The death of Mr. Lashawn Thompson resulted from severe neglect evidenced by untreated schizophrenia, poor living conditions, poor grooming, extensive and severe body insect infestation, dehydration, and rapid weight loss. Mr. Thompson was completely reliant on his caregivers to provide both day-to-day care as well as the acute life-saving care that was needed to save him from the untreated decompensated schizophrenia,” the autopsy report stated.
“The severe neglect experienced by Mr. Lashawn Thompson included all forms of neglect including
caregiver, physical, medical, and mental health neglect.
Rapid weight loss and malnutrition are known markers of neglect. The autopsy findings from Mr. Thompson show a weight loss of 32 lbs. which calculates to a loss of approximately 18% of his body weight over a short period of time. Another marker of neglect is the severe infestation of lice or pediculosis. Based upon the timeline provided,
Lashawn Thompson suffered from severe body insect infestation that clearly spanned greater 28 days. During the time it took to accumulate the severe and substantial
infestation, Mr. Thompson would not have received a bath from his caregivers,” the report added.
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“Because care was withheld from Mr. Lashawn Thompson his condition deteriorated (decompensated). When he was found to be suffering from his illness, acute and urgent
care was not provided to him. It is because of this severe neglect that Mr. Lashawn Thompson died,” the report concluded.
The shocking autopsy findings in the case of the inmate’s death at Fulton County Jail shed light on the appalling neglect and inhumane conditions within the facility and the justice that needs to be served for all inmates who have suffered from neglectful conditions.
