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Family of 8th inmate who died at Cuyahoga County Jail planning to file lawsuit

Brenden Kiekisz died after hanging himself at the jail on Dec. 30.

The family of an inmate who died by suicide in the Cuyahoga County Jail is preparing to file a lawsuit against the county, calling it a "senseless tragedy." 

Brenden Kiekisz died after hanging himself at the jail on Dec. 30. He was the eighth inmate to die while in custody in 2018. 

The attorney for Kiekisz’s family, Paul Cristallo, is preparing a lawsuit against the county, citing that the death has left “serious questions as the circumstances of just how this senseless tragedy came to pass.” 

In November, the U.S. Marshals service issued a scathing report on conditions at the Cuyahoga County Jail, citing inhumane conditions after several inmates died while in the jail’s custody. The jail's director, Ken Mills, abruptly resigned just ahead of the report. 

Cristallo released the following statement on behalf of the family: 

"As the family of Brenden Kiekisz continues to grieve the devastating loss of their 27-year-old son while in custody of the Cuyahoga County Jail, serious questions remain as to the circumstances of just how this senseless tragedy came to pass. 

"By ignoring repeated grievances, obvious warnings, internal and external complaints, and directives given by the US Marshals Service on conditions within the County’s jail, the County bears responsibility for their failure to provide medical and mental health care as well as basic living conditions as required by law and human decency. 

"It is inconceivable that a young man such as Brenden could have lost his life in the Cuyahoga County Jail considering the scrutiny the county is under. Cuyahoga County has clearly been on notice that they were not operating a facility in compliance with the United States Constitution, yet they failed to take the steps necessary which could have saved Brenden’s life. 

"Brenden’s family deserves answer to these questions and they deserve justice. 

"However, at this moment their focus remains on the loving son, brother, nephew and friend that Brenden was to them, while they honor his memory through their never-ending grief. Finally, on behalf of Brenden’s family, I would like to say how much they appreciate the extraordinary expressions of support from so many people and for keeping then in their thoughts and prayers."

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