Autopsy Finds Blood Clot Caused Death at Michigan Women’s Prison

Overview

• The Washtenaw County medical examiner's autopsy, posted by the Michigan Department of Corrections on Thursday, concluded Khaira Howard died from pulmonary thromboembolism caused by a lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis.
• The autopsy noted Howard had complained of chest pain, spent about a week in the infirmary for foot pain, showed no signs of recent trauma, and had naloxone in her system that the report said was noncontributory.
• Attorneys for inmate Krystal Clark filed an emergency motion alleging health harms from mold exposure and the state temporarily moved her to the Duane Waters Health Center on July 9 while the court weighs the request.
• MDOC posted the autopsy and Michigan State Police reports to its transparency site, said internal investigations and a mortality review are ongoing, and announced added clinical leadership plus a revised health-care staffing plan.
• The autopsy and transfer come after four recent deaths at Women’s Huron Valley, spurring a class-action suit and legislative scrutiny that may prompt court rulings, outside oversight or operational changes affecting inmate medical care.