Weekend vigil held in memory of Stanley Wilson Jr., another life lost in custody
A Brutal Turn of Events: The Tragic Death of an Ex-NFL Player in L.A. Custody
The shocking circumstance surrounding the death of an ex-NFL player, Stanley Wilson Jr., has brought the issue of in-custody deaths in Los Angeles to the forefront. Wilson, a Stanford graduate and former defensive back for the Detroit Lions, died in February 2023, but the cause remains unclear due to a bizarre standoff between the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and the county hospitals.
The department claims Wilson died at the hospital, while the hospital maintains he was already dead upon arrival. No one has taken responsibility for his death, and the only certainty is that he was heavily medicated. The events leading up to his death, the lack of operational surveillance cameras, and the discovery of bruises on his body have left a trail of questions and frustration.
Wilson's parents, heartbroken and seeking justice, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against the Sheriff's Department, the Department of State Hospitals, and Los Angeles County in September 2023, initially seeking $45 million in damages. After a federal judge ruled the case a California state matter, they amended and refiled their complaint in April 2025 in Los Angeles Superior Court. However, the trial, initially scheduled to begin in September 2025, seems unlikely to proceed on that date due to delays in the discovery process.
Meanwhile, Pulane Lucas, Wilson's mother, continues her relentless pursuit for answers and justice. She organizes protests, writes to legislators, and maintains a strong presence in the media to raise awareness about in-custody deaths. Her determination and resilience have earned her high praise from her lawyer, John Carpenter, who dubs her the embodiment of a mother's power.
This Mother's Day weekend, Lucas will join other affected parents in a peaceful protest called Stand With Mothers outside the Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles. The event will include a rally, an overnight sleepover, and a spiritual service under the same sky that her son was denied. Last year, around a dozen parents participated, and Lucas expects more this year.
Another mother, Terry Lovett, will also be present. Her 27-year-old son, Jalani, died in 2021 while in solitary confinement at the Men's Central Jail. The autopsy report indicated that he had fentanyl and heroin in his system, alongside a bruise on his neck and abrasions on his arms. However, it concluded that there were no external injuries or trauma that could have contributed to his death. Lovett seeks answers about how her son accessed such substances while in solitary confinement and plans to join the protest to share her grief and frustration.
The high death rate in Los Angeles County jails, especially in 2023, has sparked controversy and demands for answers. As of 2025, 19 inmates have died in the custody of the L.A. County Sheriff's Department. Mothers like Pulane Lucas and Terry Lovett continue to fight for justice and transparency, dedicated to honoring their children's memories and making sure their voices are heard.
Sports
For Subscribers
The Tragic Life and Death of a Former NFL Player: A Heartbreaking Tale
Like his father before him, Stanley Wilson Jr. made a name for himself in the NFL and faced battles with drug use and mental illness. But unlike his father, who found redemption, the son could not be saved. This Mother's Day weekend, his grieving mother will gather with other mothers who have lost children in custody in a poignant protest called Stand With Mothers.
California
Why was 2023 such a Deadly Year in Los Angeles County Jails? It's Complicated.
The number of inmates in Los Angeles County jails has decreased, but the death rate has skyrocketed, causing alarm and confusion. Among those joining the protest to demand answers is Pulane Lucas, whose son, Stanley Wilson Jr., died in custody under mysterious circumstances in 2023. Lucas is determined to bring attention to the issue of in-custody deaths and ensure that her son's life and death are not forgotten.
Sources:
- Los Angeles Times: Ex-NFL player dies in LA County custody. (2023, February 1). https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-stanley-wilson-ii-death-20230202-story.html
- Los Angeles Times: An NFL player dead in custody; why the sheriff and hospital won't say what happened. (2023, February 3). https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-03/ex-nfl-player-died-in-custody-sheriff-won-t-say-what-happened
- Los Angeles Daily News: Mother of former NFL player sues LA County after death in custody. (2023, September 10). https://www.dailynews.com/2023/09/10/mother-of-former-nfl-player-sues-la-county-after-death-in-custody/
- The tragic death of ex-NFL player Stanley Wilson Jr. has highlighted the issue of in-custody deaths in Los Angeles, particularly in light of the controversial standoff between the Sheriff's Department and county hospitals.
- Even though Wilson died in February 2023, the cause of his death remains undetermined, sparking questions and frustration due to a lack of operational surveillance cameras and the discovery of bruises on his body.
- Wilson's parents, seeking justice, filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against various entities, including the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and County, and have organized protests to raise awareness about in-custody deaths.
- In Civil Lawsuits and General News, the trial for the wrongful death lawsuit seems unlikely to proceed on its scheduled date due to delays in the discovery process.
- Aside from Stanley Wilson Jr., Terry Lovett's 27-year-old son, Jalani, also died in custody in the Men's Central Jail in 2021, further emphasizing the need for inquiry and reform within the Los Angeles County jail system.
