Woman in Leading Lawsuit Over Flint, Mich., Water Crisis Found Shot to Death in Home

A woman who was at the center of a leading Flint, Mich., contaminated-water lawsuit was one of two women who were found shot to death inside a townhouse in the city earlier this week, MLive reports. 

Sasha Avonna Bell, the site notes, who says that her child was poisoned by lead in the water, was one of the first in an ever growing list of people to file a lawsuit in connection with the contamination. An investigatory task force recently denounced the government as “fundamentally accountable” for the crisis. 

Bell was found dead April 19 at the Ridgecrest Village Townhouses, along with Sacorya Renee Reed. An uninjured 1-year-old child was also discovered inside the home. The child was taken into custody by Genesee County Children’s Protective Services. Police have not confirmed whether it was Bell’s child. 

“Sasha was a lovely young woman who cared deeply for her family, and especially for her young child,” her attorney, Corey M. Stern, said, according to MLive. “Her tragic and senseless death has created a void in the lives of so many people that loved her. Hopefully, her child will be lifted up by the love and support from everyone who cared deeply for Sasha.”

Bell’s was one of 64 lawsuits filed on behalf of 144 children. The lawsuit named six companies as defendants for their various parts in treating, monitoring and ensuring the safety of Flint water before and during the water crisis. The lawsuit also identifies three individual government or former government employees who allegedly played a significant part in the oversight that led to the alleged poisoning of thousands of children in Flint. 

Stern said that the case will continue and that a representative will be appointed for Bell’s child. According to MLive, Flint police say they have a person in custody in connection with the deaths, but charges have yet to be filed.