The family of R&B singer Sean Levert wants the FBI to look into his death after a jail medical emergency.
His cousin, Michael Gibson, said Levert never had any outburst such as the type described by Kevin McDonough, warden at the Cuyahoga County jail.
The 39-year-old Levert died Sunday night at a hospital after he was taken from the county jail where he was serving a one year and 10 months sentence for failure to pay $89,025 in child support.
McDonough said Levert was pounding on his cell door so guards strapped him in a restraint chair; Levert’s breathing became shallow and he was taken to Lutheran Hospital, where he died less than an hour later.
An autopsy did not determine the cause of death. Toxicology tests are expected to take weeks.
FBI spokesman Scott Wilson says agents would meet with Levert’s family.
Sean and his brother Gerald Levert, who died in 2006 at age 40 of an accidental mix of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, formed LeVert in the 1980s with childhood friend Marc Gordon. Their hits included “Baby I’m Ready,” “(Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop) Goes My Mind” and “Casanova,” which was nominated for a Grammy in 1988 for best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal. It was also nominated for best R&B song.
Gerald Levert left the group to start a solo career.