Man Eaten Alive by Bed Bugs Found Dead in Atlanta Jail

Man Eaten Alive by Bed Bugs Found Dead in Atlanta JailPhoto byFlickr

Last summer in Atlanta, LaShawn Thompson, aged 35, was arrested for committing a misdemeanor simple battery. Following his arrest, he was taken to Fulton County Jail, where he was assigned to the psychiatric wing due to his mental illness as determined by the authorities.

However, three months after his arrest, Thompson was discovered dead inside a filthy cell covered in grime and insects. Graphic photos released by the family's lawyer, showing Thompson's face, neck, and upper body covered in pockmarked lesions and dead bugs, paint a morbid picture of the horrific conditions in which Thompson was kept.

Thompson's family's attorney, Mawuli Mel Davis, told USA TODAY on Thursday that Thompson died after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs. Davis added that jail records showed detention officers and medical staff noticed that Thompson was deteriorating but did nothing to administer aid or help him.

Despite being physically healthy, Thompson was placed in the psychiatric unit by jail officials due to mental health issues. However, a medical examiner's report revealed that Thompson's cell in the psychiatric ward was severely infested with bed bugs, though there were no visible signs of trauma on his body. The cause of his death remains undetermined.

Photos released by Harper, the family's lawyer, show the horrific conditions of Thompson's cell and Thompson covered in bugs. Michael Potter, an entomologist at the University of Kentucky who specializes in bed bugs, called the conditions "horrific" and said that he had "never seen anything quite to this level if this is, in fact, what I'm seeing."

USA TODAY obtained the Fulton County Medical Examiner's report, which revealed that Thompson was discovered unresponsive in his jail cell on September 19. Despite attempts by responding local police and medical personnel to save his life, he was pronounced dead. The investigation is ongoing, and the officer stated it is unclear when Thompson was last seen.

The family found the photos distressing to look at during a press conference on Thursday, with Thompson's brother, Brad McCrae, saying, "It was heartbreaking because nobody should be seen like that. Nobody should see that."

In response to Thompson's death, the Fulton County Sheriff's Office announced a full investigation and allocated $500,000 to address vermin outbreaks within the jail. The statement was made to WSB-TV. The sheriff's office added that after an investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations would determine if any criminal charges are warranted.

"The jail cell Mr. Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this," Davis said in a statement. The family said that while they appreciated efforts to improve jail conditions, more needed to be done.

Although bed bugs are typically not fatal, prolonged exposure to a massive infestation can result in severe anemia, which, if left untreated, can be lethal.

This is because bed bugs feed on blood, and a high number of bed bugs can result in significant blood loss. In rare instances, victims may experience an allergic reaction and go into anaphylactic shock, which can also be fatal.

According to Potter, conditions like those in Thompson's cell are rare. "I've dealt with bed bugs for 20-plus years," he said. "I've never seen anything quite to this level if this is what I'm seeing."

Thompson's death has sparked calls for change and legal action. Davis said that Thompson's family plans to file a lawsuit against the Fulton County Jail and is calling for widespread reforms to improve inmate conditions.

Sources:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/04/13/atlanta-man-eaten-alive-bed-bugs-fulton-county-jail-claim/11657232002/

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/15/atlanta-jail-man-dead-eaten-bed-bugs