Atlanta inmate died from neglect after being consumed by bugs, autopsy confirms.

Family Autopsy Confirms Inmate Died of Neglect After Being “Eaten Alive” by Bed Bugs

The family of Lashawn Thompson, a 35-year-old man who died in Fulton County Jail after being “eaten alive” by bed bugs, has released independent autopsy results confirming that he died of neglect. Thompson, who had mental health issues, was neglected for 93 days and lost 30 pounds due to malnourishment and dehydration. The pathologist hired by Thompson’s family to conduct the autopsy stated that “had Mr. Thompson received adequate care during his incarceration at the Fulton County Jail then he would not have died at the time that he did.”

Officials Watched Thompson’s Health Decline Until He Died

Jail records show that officials at the facility, as well as medical staff, “noticed that Mr. Thompson was deteriorating, but did nothing to administer aid to him or to help him.” When Thompson’s body was found, one of the detention officers refused to administer CPR because she “freaked out.” The cell where Thompson was kept was described as “not fit for a diseased animal.”

Call for Accountability and Change

Thompson’s family and attorney are calling for accountability for his death, and attorney Benjamin Crump has blamed the Fulton County Jail for Thompson’s neglect and subsequent death. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Thompson’s death and has approved an additional $500,000 to address the infestation of bed bugs, lice, and other vermin in the jail. They will also update protocols for security rounds, add additional staff for the mental health unit, and transfer more than 600 inmates to other jails to reduce overcrowding.

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