Michigan Warden Placed on Leave as MDOC Opens Internal Probe Into Three Huron Valley Deaths

Overview

• The Michigan Department of Corrections said its internal affairs division is actively investigating the circumstances of three women who died at the Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility this spring.
• The deaths occurred on separate dates this spring with Khaira Howard on May 13, Rebecca Fackler on May 17 and Ashley Hoath on June 6.
• MDOC has launched multiple reviews that include an internal affairs probe, a mortality review, administrative checks of policy compliance and independent autopsies.
• Huron Valley Warden Jeremy Howard is on temporary personal leave and Michelle Floyd, a 30-year MDOC veteran with prior warden experience at Cooper Street, will serve as interim warden.
• Families, advocates and more than three dozen current and former lawmakers have pressed for accountability, and the agency says it is hiring additional full-time medical staff as investigations continue.