Man died after being eaten alive by bed bugs in an Atlanta prison

A man who died in an Atlanta jail cell was “eaten alive by insects and bed bugs”, the family’s lawyer has alleged.

Lashawn Thompson was jailed on a misdemeanour and placed in the Fulton County Jail psychiatric wing after officials judged him mentally ill.

Family attorney Michael D Harper released photos showing Mr Thompson’s body riddled with bugs.

He is calling for a criminal investigation and told reporters a lawsuit is pending.

“Mr Thompson was found dead in a filthy jail cell after being eaten alive by insects and bed bugs,” Mr Harper said in a statement. “The jail cell Mr Thompson was housed in was not fit for a diseased animal. He did not deserve this.”