Death Of Fulton Inmate Ruled Homicide Due To 'Severe Neglect': Autopsy

Editor's Note: This story was edited to add a statement from Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat.

ATLANTA — The death of 35-year-old Lashawn Thompson, an inmate who died in the Fulton County Jail's psychiatric wing in September 2022, was ruled a homicide, according to an independent autopsy report obtained Monday by Patch.

The private autopsy was completed Saturday by Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr. and was paid for by former NFL player and civil rights activist Colin Kaepernick on behalf of Thompson's family.

According to the report, Thompson's cause of death was complications due to severe neglect with a contributing cause of untreated decompensated schizophrenia. The report noted significant conditions were dehydration, malnutrition and severe body insect infestation.

"Mr. Thompson was neglected to death," Attorney Benjamin Crump said at a Monday press conference at the Georgia State Capitol, accusing jail staff of neglecting Thompson for 93 days.

Crump said at a past news conference that Thompson suffered more than 1,000 bug bites on his body while in custody.

According to the private autopsy, there was evidence of malnutrition/rapid weight loss, dehydration/volume depletion, extensive and severe body insect infestation, poor grooming and poor living conditions. Mitchell said in the report this combination led to a fatal cardiac arrhythmia.

"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," Mitchell wrote in the report. "The inactions of Mr. Thompson’s caregivers are directly related to his death ..."

Fulton County Sheriff Patrick "Pat" Labat released a statement late Monday afternoon. The sheriff said though he had not fully reviewed the independent report, he said there were failures that led to Thompson's death.

"I have already held the executive staff responsible for jail operations accountable by asking for and receiving the resignations of the chief jailer, assistant chief jailer of housing and assistant chief jailer (of the) Criminal Investigative Division," Labat said in the statement.

"Repercussions for anyone found to be negligent in Mr. Thompson’s care could come once the full investigation is turned over to the GBI for review. I remain committed to making sure the Thompson family receives the answers they need and deserve about the unconscionable circumstances surrounding Mr. Thompson’s death."

Brad McCray, Thompson's younger brother, said at Monday's press conference the family is requesting to speak to Gov. Brian Kemp.

"We hope that we will talk to the governor, and he will give us some sort of insight of what's going on in his state to help us help other people," he said.

News of Thompson's death has spread nationally. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff requested recently that the U.S. Attorney General's Office determine if the death of Thompson was criminal, both Crump and Attorney Michael Harper said at a past news conference.

Both the Atlanta Police Department and the sheriff's office are investigating the case, then case files will be turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Harper previously said the Department of Justice contacted him for his case files relating to the death so an investigation can be completed.

Autopsy Findings

Thompson was arrested June 12, 2022, 90 days prior to his death, according to the report.

The private autopsy noted Thompson was found unresponsive Sept. 13, 2022, in his jail cell, which was "in extremely poor conditions with insect infection and other filthiness around him."

According to the report, Thompson was found on the floor and slumped over a toilet. He was covered in feces and body lice, the report stated.

Officers spent about 24 minutes attempting CPR until staff with the Fulton County Fire and Rescue Department arrived, which spent about 17 minutes performing CPR, the report stated. Thompson was pronounced dead at 2:33 a.m., Sept. 13, 2022.

The report stated Dr. Michael M. Heninger conducted the initial autopsy for the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office on Sept. 14, 2022, ruling Thompson's cause and manner of death as undetermined with significant conditions as schizoaffective disorder, bipolar and acute exacerbation.

"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. ... The severe neglect experienced by Mr. Lashawn Thompson included all forms of neglect including caregiver, physical, medical and mental health neglect," the private autopsy stated.

Thompson had a weight loss of 32 pounds while incarcerated, and an innumerable number of insects were found on Thompson's head hair, face, facial hair, nose, mouth, chest, pubic area, arms and legs, according to the autopsy.

His hair was matted, and dirt was found on his hands and the bottom of his feet, according to the autopsy. Dirt was also found on his fingernails and toenails.

Thompson received his last dose of medications 32 days prior to his death, which the autopsy stated led to untreated schizophrenia.

"Mr. Thompson suffered from schizophrenia that required medical treatment and overall care to support activities of daily living," Mitchell wrote in the report.

"He did not receive the necessary medical care, nor did he receive the adequate food, water or shelter necessary to sustain his life. 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."

Crump said a lawsuit has not been filed in the case.