Jail Deaths

Dozens of family, friends and supporters rallied outside the St. Louis City Justice Center on Wednesday evening and released balloons honoring Hayes’ life, calling for an end to in-custody deaths at the facility.

An unidentified man in his 50s was pronounced dead Tuesday night at a local hospital after suffering a medical emergency at the jail, police say.

Hayward’s first day as the commissioner of corrections at the St. Louis City Justice Center was Sept. 16. The New Jersey native spent over 32 years at the county jail and says he has an open door policy for activists.

The former jail oversight board leader is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Mensah says they were beaten unconscious by police while visiting the jail in 2023.

The family of a detainee who died in the St. Louis jail said before his funeral that they’re still searching for answers a month after his death.

The mother of Samuel Lamont Hayes Jr. filed a wrongful death lawsuit against St. Louis and other defendants over the death of her son.

City officials confirmed Tuesday that Doug Burris will leave the role when his short-term contract expires. He took the position on an interim basis in January.

The family of Samuel Hayes Jr., a 31-year-old who died at the St. Louis City Justice Center on Saturday evening, says he wasn’t resisting arrest when he was put in a restraint chair.

31-year-old Samuel Hayes Jr. became the 20th person to die in custody at the St. Louis City Justice Center over the weekend.

A dead body left for hours and juvenile detainees mixed with adults: Leaked records reveal how St. Louis’ jail saw an alleged crisis just before its top leader was forced out.