Family of Nevada Inmate Challenges Official Death Account Amid Allegations of Abuse
Las Vegas, NV—June 26, 2025—The family of Patrick Odale, an inmate who died in custody, is disputing a coroner’s report that stated he acted erratically before his death, blaming excessive force from prison staff instead. A lawsuit filed in Clark County District Court alleges that Odale was experiencing an asthma attack when he approached correctional officers at Southern Desert Correctional Center in December 2023.
Instead of rendering assistance, the lawsuit claims that officers pepper-sprayed, beat, and restrained him face-down on the ground, leading to his death shortly thereafter. The coroner’s report cited “positional and mechanical asphyxia” but also blamed drugs found in Odale’s system for his death. The family alleges that the report minimized critical injuries, with autopsy photos showing significant bruising they argue was downplayed.
The lawsuit also accuses prison officials of trying to conceal information and destroying video evidence, undermining the ability to understand the circumstances surrounding Odale’s death. The family, who were eagerly awaiting his release, expressed heartbreak over his untimely passing, further enhancing awareness of issues surrounding inmate treatment and accountability in Nevada’s correctional facilities.
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