Man dies in Atlanta prison due to insect infestation: Family demands investigation and closure of prison

In September 2022, a 35-year-old man died in a prison in Atlanta, United States. His family is questioning the conditions of detention which they consider unworthy and affirm that the victim was “eaten alive” by insects and bedbugs.

A news item bordering on unsustainable. According to an article from Washington Posta 35-year-old man detained in a prison in Atlanta (State of Georgia) in the United States was “eaten alive” by insects and bedbugs.

The facts date back to September 2022. Lashawn Thompson had been a prisoner for “simple assault” for three months at the prison of Fulton County and was awaiting transfer to a facility in Alabama, where his family resides.

Except that when an agent went to inspect his cell, he discovered the body of the inanimate victim. His condition was so appalling that the autopsy could not determine the exact circumstances of death, describing an “extremely severe” insect infestation on his corpse. His face and extremities were covered in cuts from bite wounds, the report said.

“The images are really horrible”

For the family lawyer, Lashawn Thompson was simply “eaten alive” in his cell. “They put this man in this cell and left him to die there. That’s exactly what happened,” he said. He also called for a criminal investigation to be launched and the immediate closure of the penitentiary center. Brad McCrae, the victim’s brother, says his family is “shaken” by the autopsy report and photos of the body. “The images are really horrible, they are very hard to watch”. Relatives still decided to publish the pictures to show the ordeal he would have suffered in this prison.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office explained that “it is no secret that the dilapidated and rapidly eroding conditions of the facility make it incredibly difficult to provide a clean, maintained and healthy for all prisoners and staff”. A spokesperson said an investigation was being conducted to understand how the tragedy could have occurred.

According to the prison incident report, Lashawn Thompson’s cell was “covered in filth and lice” when officers inspected the room. The officer who discovered the body was so “freaked out” that he did not immediately administer CPR. The family has not yet taken legal action.

This Monday, April 17, the team responsible for the penitentiary establishment presented its resignation to the sheriff, who promised drastic changes to ensure the health safety of the place. “The office is looking at all legal options to change medical providers and enter into a new contract with one that can effectively, consistently and compassionately deliver the highest standards of healthcare.”