Lawsuit Alleges Coroner Covered Up Inmate’s Cause of Death

On January 21, a judge in Nevada heralded prisoner’s rights when he decided to allow a wrongful death lawsuit against the Nevada Department of Corrections to proceed despite dismissing a portion of the suit.

Court records show that Christian Walker, a 44-year-old inmate, was found deceased in his jail cell at High Desert State Prison on April 15, 2023. The prisoner was allegedly found lying in a pool of blood with two swollen black eyes. According to the lawsuit, Walker was taken to University Medical Center just two days prior to his death after suffering extremely severe injuries in a brutal beating by correction officers.

Reports show that corrections officers used batons against the suspect causing blunt force trauma to his head, torso, neck, shoulder, and legs. After being treated at the medical center, the suspect was returned to his jail cell where he was discovered deceased a short time later.

The Clark County coroner’s office confirmed the significant injuries but determined that the injuries were “not considered fatal” and did not contribute to the suspect’s death. Instead, the coroner ruled that Walker died of natural causes due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease.

After the victim’s death, his estate asked an independent medical examiner to review the autopsy. This examiner found evidence to suggest that the cause of death was blunt head trauma. This independent agent, Lary Simms, has been a deputy medical examiner with the Clark County coroner’s office for 19 years.

The lawsuit alleges that James Dzurenda, the director of the Nevada Department of Corrections, and two wardens at High Desert conspired with the Clark County coroner’s office to cover up the true cause of death, which was likely the beating the inmate received.

This case has captured the attention of the prisoner advocacy group Return Strong. The group has gathered int the back of the courtroom for months as the case goes on.

In spite of all this evidence, prosecutors attempted to push to have the lawsuit entirely dismissed based on the fact that the estate has not yet exhausted all the administrative remedies available to inmates yet. The judge declined to dismiss the case, which is set to go to a jury trial in February 2026.

Hire a Legal Expert If You Believe a Prisoner’s Rights Were Violated

Despite being in prison, an inmate maintains very specific rights, including the right to remain free of abuse. It’s never acceptable for a correctional officer to unjustly assault an inmate to the point of severe injury or death when they aren’t defending their own life. If you believe that your rights were violated in jail or prison, then it’s best to get in touch with a criminal defense attorney who can help you better understand your legal options.

Here at LV Criminal Defense, our team of defense attorneys can help you fully understand your rights and options. Schedule a free case review with our team now to learn more about how we can help you.