Thompson’s death was attributed to untreated schizophrenia, deteriorating mental health, and extreme neglect, resulting in rapid weight loss and dehydration caused by a fatal cardiac arrhythmia, according to an independent autopsy presented by civil rights attorney Ben Crump during a news conference on Monday, as stated by supporters.
“This is unforgivable,” another lawyer, Michael Harper, stated. “This cannot occur in Fulton County.”
Brad McCrae, Thompson’s brother, expressed, “What pains me the most is that in 2023, we witness individuals who abandon others, allowing them to suffer and decay in confinement.” “It is distressing enough that the bed bugs and lice feasted on my brother until his demise, but the negligence is what truly wounds me.”
Crump stated that Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL quarterback and now a civil rights activist, had his autopsy conducted by Dr. Roger Mitchell, the chair of pathology at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
PLEASE REFER TO THE INDEPENDENT POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION HERE.
The earlier medical report from Fulton County’s examiner found no obvious signs of trauma on Thompson’s body, but noted a severe infestation of bed bugs as the undetermined cause of death.
Sheriff Pat Labat of Fulton County, who has publicly denounced Thompson’s death as “completely unjustifiable,” was acknowledged by the family’s attorneys and supporters. The Fulton County Board of Commissioners were implored to assume accountability and promptly address the issues at the detention facility. The district attorney’s office was urged to file criminal charges. Gov. Brian Kemp was also urged to tackle a “mental health emergency” in the state.
Labat stated that the investigations into Thompson’s death, including one conducted internally by his office and another by the Atlanta Police Department, will be finalized and then handed over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. In the previous month, he made public the resignations of three high-ranking jail employees.
The report says that during his three-month stay at Fulton County Jail, Thompson lost approximately 18% of his body weight or around 32 pounds, showing evidence of dehydration. In addition, his toenails, fingernails, feet, hands, and overall body were extremely dirty, and there were countless insects crawling all over him.
The medical records from jail indicate that Thompson received his last dose of prescribed medications for his mental health issues 32 days before his reported death.
Crump stated, “This demise was not of a natural nature.” The autopsy’s discoveries indicated that Thompson’s passing was a result of severe negligence, untreated schizophrenia, inadequate living circumstances, malnourishment and decrease in body weight, dehydration, and infestation of insects on the body.
Thompson, 35, was found dead in his jail cell in September after being housed in the psychiatric wing of the jail due to his mental health issues. He had been charged with a misdemeanor battery and was serving a three-month sentence in Fulton County Jail.
Although no lawsuit has been filed in this particular case, Crump described the Fulton jail as “a chamber of torture” and claimed that Thompson was “neglected until his death. The postmortem toxicology revealed unsuccessful outcomes for schizophrenia medication and treatment.”
On Monday, Georgia NAACP President Gerald Griggs and Reverend Jamal Bryant joined Crump and Harper.
Griggs stated that his organization has three demands, which include ensuring the restoration of unity within this family, holding someone accountable through charging, and implementing necessary policies and legislation to ensure that such incidents are never repeated in the future.
Sheriff Pat Labat released the subsequent statement in reaction to the report:
Thompson’s sorrowful demise resulted in several shortcomings that were achingly evident even prior to the release of this report. Nonetheless, I haven’t had an opportunity to thoroughly examine the autonomous postmortem report.
I have already held the executive staff responsible for jail operations accountable by asking for the resignations of Chief Assistant Jailer, Chief Assistant Housing Jailer, and Chief Assistant Criminal Investigative Division. Once the investigation by GBI is complete, there could be repercussions for anyone found to be negligent in Mr. Thompson’s care.
I am committed to ensuring that the Thompson family receives the answers they deserve and need about the unconscionable circumstances surrounding Death Thompson.