MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Civil rights attorney Ben Crump released disturbing new photos and details Friday after it was ruled a man who died inside the Shelby County Jail in January was killed due to neglect.
Crump, representing the family of 42-year-old Ramon McGhee, who died while an inmate of the Shelby County Jail on Jan. 12, said preliminary autopsy findings provide, "proof of the inhumane circumstances that Ramon was forced to endure while being held in custody at Shelby County Jail."
Indeed, Ramon McGhee's preliminary autopsy, which was performed by the Nebraska Institute of Forensic Sciences, said there was evidence of severe neglect due to malnutrition, and severe dehydration. According to the autopsy, McGhee, who was 5'6" tall, weighed just 115 lbs. at the time of his death.
The autopsy also found extensive and severe insect infestations on McGhee's body, including body louse, bed bugs and "innumerable" insects all over his body.
The autopsy found McGhee died of severe neglect with malnutrition, and ruled his death a homicide.
Alongside the autopsy findings, Crump also released two disturbing images from inside McGhee's jail cell.
Crump issued the following statement:
“The preliminary findings from the autopsy and the released photos provide proof of the inhumane circumstances that Ramon was forced to endure while being held in custody at Shelby County Jail. Not only do they show that lice and bed bugs consumed his body, but they also provide evidence of the abuse and intolerable treatment constantly experienced by inmates. Government officials can no longer disregard such abuse, which will ultimately lead to more blood on their hands.”
WARNING: The following images are graphic and extremely disturbing in nature. Discretion is advised:
Investigation into McGhee's death
On Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024, the Shelby County Sheriff's Office (SCSO) released a statement regarding Ramon McGhee, a 42-year-old Shelby County Jail inmate who died on Jan. 12.
McGhee was found unresponsive on Jan. 10, and family members said McGhee was covered in a massive amount of lice and bed bugs when he arrived at the hospital. He later died on Jan. 12.
"Immediate action was taken by alerting the T.B.I. and the District Attorney’s Office upon his hospital transfer," the Sheriff's Office said. "Unfortunately, directions concerning his cell cleaning and personal hygiene were disregarded, and crucial information was withheld."
The SCSO said those who neglected their responsibilities during the incident did not reflect the values of the Sheriff's Office.
"This behavior is intolerable, and we are fully dedicated to preventing such tragedies from happening in the future," they said.
The Shelby County Sheriff's Office said they have been "conducting an extensive investigation into concerning incidents at the main Jail for several months. The Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, has initiated criminal investigations as per the Sheriff's request. Charges have been filed by both the Sheriff’s Office and the District Attorney’s Office, with ongoing internal investigations into non-criminal matters."
The Sheriff's Office said efforts are underway to restructure the security operations team in the jail with the recent retirements of the Assistant Chief and Chief Inspector in that division.
"Significant changes have been made in various departments by reassigning staff and responsibilities," they said. "We trust that these adjustments, along with others in the pipeline, will work towards rebuilding public confidence in our agency."
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigations confirmed on Jan. 16 it was conducting an investigation into McGhee’s death. An autopsy was scheduled to determine the cause of death, but those results have yet to be released.
The family of McGhee retained nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump.