An inmate who had accused his jailers of “torture” by alleging they compelled him to take heed to the repetitive Child Shark track enjoying on a loop has been discovered lifeless.

John Basco was discovered unresponsive in his cell within the early hours of Sunday on the Oklahoma County Detention Heart, in accordance with a press launch. Officers tried to save lots of the 48-year-old’s life and labored on him till emergency responders arrived and continued efforts to resuscitate him, jail officers mentioned within the assertion, however he was pronounced lifeless shortly after 4:05 a.m.

Basco, who had been booked into the jail on Thursday over a drug trafficking criticism, made headlines world wide in 2021 after he and three different inmates sued Oklahoma County commissioners, Sheriff Tommie Johnson III, the jail belief and two former jailers following a earlier stint on the facility again in 2019.

They accused former detention officers Gregory Cornell Butler Jr. and Christian Charles Miles of forcing them to take heed to Child Shark blaring out on repeat, often for hours, whereas they stood handcuffed to the wall of a visitation room. Former Lieutenant Christopher Raymond Hendershott was additionally accused of understanding in regards to the apply and doing nothing to cease it on the jail in Oklahoma Metropolis.

A 2020 investigation reportedly confirmed the inmates had been disciplined on this means, and the 2 detention officers have been fired and charged with misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a prisoner and conspiracy. Hendershott had already retired. Legal professionals representing the detainees have described the incidents as “torture occasions” and the case is ongoing.

It’s not but clear how Basco died and the state’s Workplace of the Chief Medical Examiner will examine to find out the reason for demise.

Mark Opgrande, director of communications for the jail, advised The Oklahoman newspaper: “One of many potentialities being investigated is that it was a drug overdose.”

Nevertheless, Basco’s lawyer, Cameron Spradling, mentioned he discovered information of the demise “disturbing” and has referred to as for a radical investigation.

“There’s a felony case and a federal civil rights case pending towards three former detention officers together with a longtime lieutenant,” Spradling advised Newsweek. “One of many Child Shark torture victims is conveniently lifeless inside three days of his arrival. District Legal professional David Prater misplaced his most necessary witness for the upcoming felony trial. The D.A. wants to instantly ship in his personal investigators to search out out why this sufferer/witness died underneath these mysterious circumstances.”

He additionally tweeted a picture of his client, saying he mourned his demise.

Newsweek has reached out to the jail for additional info.

Basco’s demise marked the 14th inmate demise on the jail this 12 months, The Oklahoman reported.

Replace 9/12/2022 12:05 p.m. ET: This story has been up to date with a remark from Spradling.