LaShawn Thompson Had An “Severe Body Insect Infestation,” Death Ruled A Homicide

The death of Fulton County Jail inmate LaShawn Thompson has been ruled a homicide after he was found dead, covered in bed bugs and lice. 

Thompson’s death has left the country stunned after he was discovered deceased inside a bedbug-infested cell inside the Georgia jail. His body was littered with insects, and from the very beginning of the investigation, his family believed the authorities knew of his condition and failed to get him proper care. Thompson had schizophrenia and had been in jail for three months for a battery charge. He was initially placed in a psychiatric unit for his health issues. At some point during his incarceration, his condition began to deteriorate quickly. He was found dead on the toilet on September 13th, 2022.

The private autopsy, sponsored by NFL pro turned activist player Colin Kaepernick, showed that Thompson endured weeks of extreme neglect. The autopsy determined that Thompson was severely dehydrated, malnourished, and had experienced rapid weight loss without intervention. He was also not being treated for schizophrenia. The board-certified pathologist, Roger A. Mitchell, pointed out that Thompson had a “severe body insect infestation.” His family said that Thompson was unrecognizable in the photographs after his death. 

Thompson’s brother Brad McCrae called the loss “unbearable.”

“Nobody should see those types of pictures,” McCrae told NBC affiliate WXIA. 

Medical records from the jail show a 43-day gap where no treatments were being documented. Thompson weighed just 148 pounds at the time of his death, despite weighing 180 pounds when he was initially locked up. He was also found with dirt on his feet and under his nails. Mitchell is confident that Thompson would still be alive if he had received adequate care sooner for his mental and physical issues. 

Fulton County Jail has not responded publicly to the autopsy findings. It’s unclear if anyone will face charges for Thompson’s death.