When a person dies behind bars, the public often only knows about a person’s criminal charges and in some cases, the cause of death. This In Memoriam project attempts to provide a fuller picture of what families, friends, and communities lose when a person dies behind bars. The memorials below were written by Loyola Law students based on research, public records requests, and interviews when possible. We are thankful for the families and friends who agreed to participate in this project.

Here is what we have learned so far: many of the people who died were parents of young children. All of the people who died belonged to someone: their parents, their siblings, their children, their partners, and/or their friends. None of the people who died were sentenced to death by a court. Many were avid football fans. Some were talented artists and writers. Some of the memorials also reveal how people struggled with prior trauma, substance abuse, and mental health challenges prior to their death. In at least one case, the only clue about the life of the person is their criminal record. Together, these memorials remind us that what happens behind bars matters.

In Memoriam

Christian David Freeman

Christian David Freeman August 6, 1984 - June 25, 2020 Christian Freeman (L), holding his newborn son Ryder, his sister Chantelle Freeman and Jesse Freeman (R) On August 6th, 1984, in Metairie, Louisiana, Mrs. Ginger Adams Freeman and Mr. David Ray Freeman welcomed a bouncing baby boy named Christian David…
In Memoriam

Desmond “Plucky” Guild

Desmond “Plucky” Guild 1993 - June 19, 2020 Desmond Guild was the type of man who never really smiled. He acted as if it pained him to smile, but when he smiled, he lit up the room. His family paints a picture of a man who was loving, respectful, and…
In Memoriam

Lawrence Webb Hathorn

Lawrence Webb Hathorn January 28, 1960 - July 27, 2011 Lawrence Webb Hathorn was born on January 28, 1960, in Houston, Texas, to Buford and Annette Hathorn of Gilbert, Arkansas. His father passed away in 2011 and his mother is still living and remains in Gilbert, Arkansas. At the time…
In Memoriam

Colby George Crawford

Colby George Crawford January 14, 1994 - February 22, 2017 Born January 14, 1994, Colby resided in the New Orleans area with his family. Colby spent time with his mother Celette, step-father Paul, and three sisters, Cassie, Casey, and Courtney growing up. However, Colby suffered from bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance…
In Memoriam

Jaquin Thomas

Jaquin Thomas January 24, 2001 - October 17, 2016   During this rollercoaster called Life, we encounter many mental and physical experiences. Some people learn from these experiences and decide to make a change in themselves, while others seems to stay the same and not change at all. Throughout time,…
In Memoriam

Patrick Bell

Patrick B. Bell November 7, 1960 - October 15, 2008 My search for Patrick Bell began with letters sent to the U.S. District Court in March 2013. Patrick B. Bell’s name appeared on a chart amongst the letters. His name was listed as one of forty unfortunate deaths suffered by…
In Memoriam

Calvin “Deal” James Thomas, Sr.

Calvin "Deal" James Thomas, Sr.  October 21, 1981 - November 15, 2012 Calvin James Thomas (Deal), Sr. was born October 21, 1981 in New Orleans, Louisiana, to parents, Mona Lisa Deal and Thomas Frank Deal. Calvin grew up with his two older siblings in a tight knit household in the…
In Memoriam

Ryan Miller

Ryan Miller October 13, 1990 - March 23, 2015 Ryan Miller was born October 13, 1990, to Rodney Williams and Pamela Miller. Ryan was the third of five children. He had two older brothers Rodney and Ronnie Miller and two younger sisters Delisha and Ervinyone Miller. Ryan was born in…
In Memoriam

Kentrell Hurst

July 21, 1981 - May 27, 2018. Kentrell Hurst died in the Orleans Justice Center over Memorial Day weekend in 2018. Her death, however, does not represent all of who she was. This dossier attempts to shed some light on Ms. Hurst’s life outside of her deeply sad arrest and…
In Memoriam

Narada “Rada” Mealey

June 26, 1985 - November 2, 2017. Narada Mealey was born on June 26, 1985 in Marrero, Louisiana. He was named after his father but to those who knew and loved him, he was known as “Rada.” He was the first child of five siblings who were close to each…
In Memoriam

Cayne Michelle Miceli

November 4, 1965 – January 6, 2009. Since 2009, New Orleans has been a little less vibrant. Beautiful, magical, intelligent, spiritual, and loving are just a few of the many words that can be used to describe Cayne Miceli, a proud resident of the Crescent City.
In Memoriam

William Wesley Goetzee

November 14, 1962 – August 7, 2011. He was the kind of guy who would give you the shirt off his back, said Kevin Robb, a former co-worker who had manned the 8th District Coast Guard command center with Goetzee for over a decade in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In Memoriam

Tracy Barquet

February 1985 - August 7, 2010. An individual’s life is filled with memories, stories, and varying sentiments – whether they’re good or bad. When a life is cut short, like the life of Tracy Barquet, Jr., it is important that their stories and their truth are heard. Tracy Barquet, Jr.’s…