2022 deaths while incarcerated at Silverdale Detention Center
While the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office maintains every person who walks through the detention facility’s doors receives a medical screening, with medical staff available to provide care 24 hours a day, several Chattanooga families have spoken out about the deaths of their loved ones while at Silverdale, claiming medical neglect has been a contributor to the loss. In 2022, the Times Free Press reported on three in-custody deaths in addition to Timothy Burt’s:
› Carol Rene White, 53, died May 16 at Silverdale while serving a 45-day sentence after pleading guilty to two DUIs. Her death was ruled an accidental “combined toxicity of methadone and olanzapine” by a Hamilton County Medical Examiner.
› Michael Terrell Gibbs, 55, died May 19 at Erlanger hospital after he was transported there from Silverdale. On March 3, Gibbs was arrested and charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and violating parole. Gibbs’ cause of death was lung cancer, according to a Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s report.
› Marvin Anthony Johnston, 40, died Dec. 20 at Erlanger after he was “found unresponsive in his cell” by a correctional officer, according to the medical examiner’s report. Johnston was arrested in March and charged with three traffic infractions and evading arrest. In April, Johnston was charged with possession of contraband in a penal institution, according to court records. Johnston was taken to an area hospital from Silverdale at 7:30 p.m. where he was pronounced dead. His death was ruled an “accidental overdose” of fentanyl by a Hamilton County medical examiner.