Erie County jail missed a veteran's fatal water intoxication; sheriff found no violations
William Hager, a 44-year-old homeless Army veteran with schizophrenia, died of water intoxication on November 19, 2023 at the Erie County Correctional Facility in Alden. In June 2026 the state Commission of Correction's medical review board concluded his death could have been prevented: Alden's psychiatrist did not monitor side effects of his antipsychotic medication, which causes extreme thirst, and Holding Center nurses did not alert doctors that he lost 12.6 pounds in 14 days. The sheriff's office and jail physician rejected the findings, and a quality review the office completed in January found no policy violations by health staff. A spokesperson for Sheriff John Garcia did not respond to Investigative Post. Antonio Pizarro's July 4, 2026 death was the seventh at the Holding Center in five years, WAMC reported.
In January, the sheriff's office completed the review but "did not identify any policy or procedure violations by health staff."
This is the seventh death of someone in custody at the Holding Center in the past five years. Community advocates are again demanding answers.
Rejected the state's finding that staff could have better monitored Hager and prevented his death.
Contacted — no response by publication. This space stays open; any statement is added here in full.
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