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Man thirsts to death after 35 days in solitary confinement, Sampson County, North Carolina

3,869 views · Published 4 October 2014 · 3:24 · Indexed 10 October 2026

Channel: PoliceCrime · 2014 · News & Politics

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IVANHOE, N.C. -The sister of an inmate who died of thirst after being held in solitary confinement said Friday anyone involved in his death should go to jail.

Brenda Liles' comments came the same day seven people were dismissed and two resigned amid the investigation into to the death of Michael Anthony Kerr.

An outraged Liles, who lives in Ivanhoe in Sampson County, said, “Anybody that had a hand in murdering my brother, they need to go to jail.” 

Kerr was pronounced dead at Central Prison March 12 following his transport from Alexander Correctional Institution in Taylorsville. An autopsy released Thursday confirmed he died of thirst.

No one has been charged in the case.

Kerr suffered from mental illness, something Liles said he started showing signs of after two of his sons were murdered.

The autopsy indicates Kerr's psychiatric history was indicative of schizoaffective disorder but it said he was not being treated for it.

He was serving 31 years for larceny and assault after being convicted as a habitual felon in 2011.

Liles wanted him to be housed in a mental facility instead of a prison.

When prison officials transported him to Central Prison, where there is a mental unit, he arrived unresponsive.

“On the 3rd and the 4th, I was calling the prison and fighting for my brother. They said they were going to get him some medical attention, but they didn't do it,” Liles said.

She said Kerr's wife is hiring an attorney.

The department said Kerr was in "administrative segregation" from Feb. 5-25 and "disciplinary segregation" from Feb. 25-March 12.

Kerr flooded his cell twice during that period. A written policy allows prison staff to respond to the "misuse of plumbing" by turning off the water to an inmate's sink and toilet, according to The Associated Press.

DPS managers are reviewing the autopsy. An SBI investigation is ongoing.

In addition to asking the SBI to review the death, Secretary Frank L. Perry ordered a thorough internal investigation and said, "I am deeply saddened by Mr. Kerr's death."

W. David Guice, commissioner of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice added, “From the start, we have been committed to finding out exactly what happened in this case and in taking appropriate administrative and operational actions."
On Friday, the Department of Safety confirmed seven dismissals:

    Brenda Sigman,Professional Nurse
    Shawn Blackburn, Captain
    Jacqueline Clark, Nurse Supervisor
    Wanda St.Clair, Professional Nurse
    Kimberly Towery, Professional Nurse
    Michael Youron, psychological services coordinator
    Karis Fitch, psychological program manager

Two others resigned during the investigation, the state said:

    Lisa Kemp, Nurse
    Christine Butler, staff psychologist

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