Colin Kaepernick to pay for independent autopsy of Georgia inmate whose family lawyers claim “Eat Alive” By insects and bed bugs while in prison and later died in his cell last year.
Ben Crump, who is representing LaShaun Thompson’s family, said Thursday that the free-agent NFL quarterback and staffer are helping with the cost of a second autopsy. A medical examiner’s report listed the cause of death as “undetermined” but noted a “severe bed bug infestation,” the Associated Press reported.
“We’re going to do an independent autopsy and Colin Kaepernick told the family that we can’t get to the truth why he’s going to pay for it,” Crump said at a press conference outside the Fulton County Jail, where Thompson was held and died.
“We want to thank Colin Kaepernick for helping this family get the truth,” he added. “And as soon as we get the results of that independent autopsy, we’ll be back here and let people know what happened to him.”
CBS News reached out to your rights camp for comment on Thompson’s autopsy but did not immediately return calls. However, the nonprofit’s Twitter account appeared to confirm media reports of their involvement.
Kaepernick Launched an initiative in 2022 To help families with free, secondary autopsies through his Know Your Rights Camp organization. The initiative collaborates with a panel of board-certified forensic pathologists who perform autopsies, release preliminary results, and issue final reports to requesting families.
Thompson, 35, was arrested on a misdemeanor simple battery charge and taken to the Fulton County Jail in June 2022 and later placed in a psychiatric ward due to mental health issues. But three months later, he was found “dead in a filthy prison after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs,” said Michael Harper, his family’s attorney.
Jail records show that medical staff and detainees noticed Thompson’s health deteriorating, but did not help him, according to Harper, who has called for a criminal investigation into his death. Harper also released photos showing bugs and uncomfortable conditions in her cell.
It has three members Fulton County Jail Chief Resigns Since the Fulton County Sheriff has opened an investigation into Thompson’s death. It is still being investigated by the Office of Professional Standards and the Atlanta Police Department and will be turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation once complete.
Senator Jon Ossoff, Democrat of Georgia, who chairs the Senate Human Rights Subcommittee, said Thursday he is launching an investigation into prison conditions in Georgia and across the United States, according to the AP.
Caitlin O’Kane contributed to this report.
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