On the morning of Saturday, April 21, 2018, the family of Loyd Brown Jr. received the news that no parents would ever want to hear. The Wayne County Jail informed them that their son had passed away in the care of the jail that Dean Finch the sheriff of the county oversees. The same jail that we have reported on the massive overcrowding and neglect. This is not the first time this County has had a suspicious death inside its jail.
When the family of Loyd Brown Jr received the devastating news about their sons death. The official informed them that Loyd took his own life by hanging. The family doesn’t believe this to be true. Loyd was a loving happy man who recently got married. Loyd’s family has said that there was never signs of Lloyd being suicidal.
Things just don’t seem to be right. As we have reported before the jail is overcrowded with 12 - 14 people in a cell built for 8 people. Each cell is equipped with a camera that is monitored by the jailer at there desk. With all that in mind, how was Loyd Brown Jr able to hang himself and hang long enough for him to die? There are many unanswered questions. Liberal Missourian has sent the Sheriff Dean Finch a sunshine request in an attempt to get many unanswered questions.
Liberal Missourian found out about Loyd’s death from a Facebook post posted to KFVS-TV, facebook page by Loyd’s aunt Phylis. The family among most of the community is not accepting the story that the jail has given. Without this post, Loyd’s death would go unnoticed and the public would never know of this tragedy.
The post says “#JusticeForLoyd. How is it possible for this young man being held in the Wayne county jail, in Greenville Mo. to hang himself and die? This has not been on the news. Is it being investigated? Why was he not on suicide watch? This happened yesterday morning. Family would like these questions answered. RIP Loyd Brown jr.” With a picture of Loyd.
The jail should've prevented Loyd Brown Jr death.
The jail has tried their best to keep Loyd Brown Jr’s. death hush-hush like they have done before. Seven years ago Adam passed away while in the care of Wayne County Mo Jail. The family was told a similar story as the family of Loyd Brown Jr. Adam was someone I had the opportunity of meeting and started to get to know before he was arrested and later died in custody. Adam was a happy young man. His family has said he was never a sad person and never showed signs of being suicidal. Liberal Missourian is working with Adam’s family to bring our readers his story.
Something needs to be done about this jail. The overcrowding, mistreatment, neglect, and the irresponsible jail staff has caused this tragedy. The family is asking for an investigation from the Department Of Justice be conducted on the jail, the sheriff department and Loyd’s Death. Liberal Missourian has started a change.org petition to try to convince DOJ to start the investigation.
The Jailer(s) on duty during the time leading up to Loyd Brown Jr death should be reprimanded for there inactions. The jailers dropped the ball on this by not keep their obligation to keep everyone they are entrusted to care for alive. Had the jailers done their job properly Loyd Brown Jr would still be alive.
The Sheriff of Wayne County MO is responsible for everything that happens inside his jail. The ongoing overcrowding and mistreatment of the inmates by irresponsible jail staff needs to come to an end. Dean Finch has done nothing to prevent this death. He has either turned a blind eye to his jail or just don't care about the people he is in charge of. His negligence of the jail shows that he is unfit to be the sheriff. Dean Finch needs to own up to the problems inside his jail and fix them. If he is unable to fix the problems of his jail he needs to resign and the jail needs to be shut down. We encourage our readers to contact the sheriff department at (573) 224-3219 and demand him to fix the problems with his jail or resign.
By
Bryan Jeffers
Liberal Missourian