Lawsuit: Henderson negligent in inmate’s 2024 death

Lawsuit: Henderson negligent in inmate’s 2024 death A lawsuit alleges that the city of Henderson failed to provide adequate supervision and should have intervened sooner to prevent the 2024 death of a Henderson Detention Center inmate who died by suicide. Jaime Chrusch, 36, died on Dec. 6, 2024, six days after he was arrested and booked into the Henderson jail on suspicion of domestic violence, according to a complaint filed Aug. 17 in District Court. The suit, filed by Chrusch’s daughter and her mother, says Chrusch concealed himself under a blanket issued by the jail and placed a cord from a nearby wall‑mounted telephone around his neck, tightening it while he was in a holding cell in the facility’s reflection area on Nov. 30, 2024. The complaint states that the cord was hidden from view by the blanket but that Chrusch’s movements were “consistent with a detainee manipulating and applying the cord to his neck.” Chrusch’s position in the holding cell should have been visible from a nearby walkway and detention‑officer workstations, according to the filing. Two detention officers walked past Chrusch while he was beneath the blanket before a third officer entered the holding cell and observed his condition. The third officer called for emergency medical services for Chrusch, who, according to the complaint, was found on the floor of the holding cell, not breathing. Chrusch was taken to a local hospital, where he was determined to have suffered a “catastrophic and irreversible” brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen. The Clark County coroner’s office ruled Chrusch’s death a suicide. The hanging occurred at the Henderson Detention Center and Chrusch died at Henderson Hospital, according to the coroner’s office. “By the time exigency services were summoned, the hold had go fatal,” the complaint said. “Defendants knew oregon successful the workout of tenable attraction should person recognized the exigency and intervened successful clip to forestall Decedent’s death.” The Henderson Detention Center is operated by the Henderson Police Department. Henderson’s public information office said in an email that the city does not comment on pending litigation. Lawyer: Inmate’s family seeking answers The lawsuit alleges the city failed to properly train, supervise, instruct, and direct detention staff on detainee self‑harm, ligature hazards, and the safe use of telephone equipment in a detention setting. It also accuses the city of failing to provide continuous detainee monitoring and failing to recognize that the corded telephone presented a strangulation risk. Additionally, the suit claims that telecommunications contractors, equipment manufacturers, and service providers that supplied and installed the telephone are liable. Plaintiffs are seeking general and special damages each in excess of $15,000, as well as punitive and exemplary damages to be determined at trial. Jared Richards, an attorney representing Chrusch’s family, said Wednesday in a telephone interview that the lawsuit is also aimed at raising awareness about suicide risks early in detention and learning more about Chrusch’s final hours. “His family would similar answers to the question astir however this happens successful an situation that is designed truthful that it shouldn’t,” Richards said. “Suicide is simply a important hazard successful the archetypal hours of detention. Detention centers know this.” RELATED: High‑profile defendant acceptable risk factors for jail suicides, experts say If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, or are worried about a friend or loved one, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting the Lifeline at 988. Live chat is available at 988lifeline.org. Additionally, the Crisis Text Line is a free, national service available 24/7. Text HOME to 741741.