Louisville jail found dehydrated man dead 5 hours after he lay down; 23rd death since 2021
Juan Miguel Munoz Penalver, 21, was found unresponsive in a single cell at the Louisville Metro Department of Corrections on Feb. 26, 2026, 12 days after his arrest. His death certificate lists acute psychosis due to dehydration from refusing fluids, food and medical care. Records reviewed by the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting say he was supposed to get checks every 30 minutes; jail video shows he lay down by his cell door and staff found him a little over five hours later. In September his family sued Louisville Metro Government, LMDC director Jerry Collins and medical contractor CHS, alleging no one took his vital signs or sent him to a hospital. LMDC said two employees under investigation are no longer with the jail. The ACLU of Kentucky counts 23 deaths in LMDC custody since May 2021; police and jail investigations remain open.
Police records say jail video shows that on the night of Feb. 25, Munoz Penalver laid down in front of his cell door and “did not appear to move at all afterwards.” Jail staff found him a little over five hours later, unresponsive.
The lawsuit names Louisville Metro Government, LMDC director Jerry Collins, the jail’s medical contractor and unnamed jail and medical employees.
"Five hours. That's 10 times they failed to check on him."
Metro Government cannot comment on specifics; says it is continually evaluating ways to improve safety and two employees under investigation are gone.
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Contacted — no response by publication. This space stays open; any statement is added here in full.
No outcome recorded yet.