Cumbria man dies in prison after mother"s manslaughter conviction

David Alan Holyoak, aged 53, died in custody at HMP Berwyn in Wrexham, Wales, on September 4, 2021. His death occurred six months after he was convicted of manslaughter by gross negligence for the death of his mother, Dorothy Morgan. The 71-year-old woman was discovered in her home in Whitehaven, Cumbria, severely malnourished and dehydrated, leading to her hospitalization and subsequent death in February 2021. Holyoak was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison in March 2021, alongside his mother's husband, Robert Christopher Morgan, who received a three-year sentence. Both men denied the charges, claiming they were adhering to Mrs. Morgan's wishes not to seek medical assistance. The court found that their negligence directly contributed to her deteriorating health and eventual death. A pathologist determined that Mrs. Morgan's death was caused by her emaciated condition, highlighting the severe neglect she suffered. The case raised significant concerns about the responsibilities of caregivers and the consequences of failing to provide necessary medical care. Following Holyoak's death, the Ministry of Justice announced that the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman would conduct an investigation, as is standard procedure for all deaths in custody. This incident underscores the ongoing issues within the prison system and the need for thorough investigations into such tragic events.