Attorney Says Lawsuit Forthcoming After Cottage Hill Murder Suspect Hangs Self In County Jail

January 20, 2022

An attorney has put several agencies on notice that litigation may be forthcoming in the case of a murder suspect that died days after hanging himself in the Escambia County Jail.

Lukas MacKenzie Snelson, 24, was charged with second degree homicide, grand theft of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest for the death of his grandmother, 75-year old Fran Fournier.

On December 30, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to the end of Candy Lane in Cantonment for a death investigation. Fournier was found deceased, seated in a recliner with two dog leashes wrapped around her neck, according to an arrest report. Snelson was arrested hours later.

Snelson was found hanging in his cell and later died at a local hospital.

Attorney Ryan M. Carodoso filed a notice to preserve evidence through certified mail Wednesday to the Escambia County Jail, Escambia County Corrections Administration, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the District 1 Medical Examiner’s Office.

In the notice, Cardoso states that all records may be used in “forthcoming litigation”.

The criminal case against Snelson was dismissed following his death.

Photos for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

Comments

26 Responses to “Attorney Says Lawsuit Forthcoming After Cottage Hill Murder Suspect Hangs Self In County Jail”

  1. PFFFT on January 26th, 2022 10:34 am

    @The unfavored sister, Maybe you should pray for our county, because it seems to me that this family is just trying to get paid and take advantage of a horrible tragedy. If this piece of garbage was my family member, I would be happy to know that he hung himself. He did them and the people of the state of Florida a favor! Be happy this animal is gone!!! I hope this suit is dismissed!!!!

  2. Dale Trinquist on January 24th, 2022 12:06 am

    Well now that the gramma is dead the greedy family can make money off the taxpayers pocket. And there’s a greedy attorney to pick the taxpayers pockets and keep 70% of the million dollar settlement and the attorney gets the last laugh in the matter.

  3. David Huie Green on January 21st, 2022 2:21 pm

    REGARDING:
    “did an atty just up and decide to file in order to make a payday?”

    Couldn’t, wouldn’t have standing. Would have to be a relative (and not just ANY relative, since everyone on Earth is related to everyone else) or some other person personally affected to take a case to court.

  4. The Unfavored Sister on January 21st, 2022 11:19 am

    Lord, please give comfort to his mom, siblings and children. Protect this family from the enemy and remind us that we are all Your children. Lord, just have us do Your will. Pour out to this area and reveal Yourself to us. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen

  5. Just Me on January 21st, 2022 9:29 am

    Sounds to me that what we have is a Lawyer trying to stair the pot and see if he can make some quick cash…Escambia County needs to fight this real hard if it matures into a lawsuit!

  6. Jr on January 21st, 2022 8:06 am

    @ JTV and No Way…I’m right there with you on your thoughts..Jana, really? He got JUST what he deserved…

  7. A sad day on January 20th, 2022 11:27 pm

    This should be all dismissed.the family has been through enough.guards can’t watch 1 person every minute.luke chose not to live because of the guilt.i don’t wish death on anyone but Luke chose this so let it go an let the family grieve without mean comments.why make money off of Luke when Fran is the vitim.shame on you to the lawyer.

  8. Autism Mom on January 20th, 2022 3:42 pm

    One thing I looked for in this article was WHO hired the attorney?? I see nothing of a family member of the deceased hiring one. So, did an atty just up and decide to file in order to make a payday? Anybody else catch that? Uhmm.

  9. Mike Honcho on January 20th, 2022 3:32 pm

    Jana don’t try to be a champion for someone like this he dose t deserve it

  10. FRANK KISSEL on January 20th, 2022 1:02 pm

    When I heard Snelson committed suicide, I thought “great” saved the government the cost of trial and his years of incarceration. Now Snelson’s crime and suicide may still cost the taxpayers…ridiculous!

  11. David Huie Green on January 20th, 2022 12:37 pm

    Any wishing to kill and unwilling to be dissuaded should start with self.

  12. Jana on January 20th, 2022 12:31 pm

    @ JTV
    Justice was not served, he was never found guilty.
    No one should be happy with ANYONE DIEING .

    @Concerned citizen? Dont need a juror..you have already decided.

    @ No Way…glad he killed himself? Seek help!

    Prayers for the family and prayers for all the nasty comments on here by people who evidently have never lost a loved one.
    Its would appear to come so naturally to some to be vile.

  13. Anne on January 20th, 2022 11:40 am

    Toss up as to which is the most Greedy, the family looking to make a buck or the lawyers who search them out and give promises of $$$$$.

  14. JIM on January 20th, 2022 10:43 am

    @No way, I could not have said it better myself

  15. Paul on January 20th, 2022 9:37 am

    Good riddance. I hope they lose the suit, and the lawyers lose their future clients.
    I wouldn’t want to hire one of this ilk. They should be charged for the hospital bill for pulling this stunt.

  16. A Alex on January 20th, 2022 9:33 am

    As the usual case, county likely will settle out of court for six to seven figure not counting any CENTS. Figure what the lawyer will get at 33 1/3 plus %.

  17. Shay on January 20th, 2022 9:15 am

    The CO’s responded very quickly. The family trying to make money off of “concern” for their own family matriarch’s KILLER, is utterly pathetic.

  18. ensley boy on January 20th, 2022 9:07 am

    Ever wonder why the Lawyer did not sue the criminal for the death of the Grandmother? The criminal doesn”t have the deep pockets the county has. It is purely a money thing. The lawyer is only concerned about ranking in a big fee. He knows the county will fold and pay something just to stay out of court.

  19. Jeff Gainey on January 20th, 2022 8:32 am

    Unreal. The laws need to be changed so a murderer or their family cannot sue anyone. This is absolutely outrageous. I have zero respect for attorneys for situations just like this. They just want money. Absolutely gross.

  20. J-THE-G on January 20th, 2022 8:28 am

    Murderers don’t deserve to live anyways so move on, seriously.

  21. No way on January 20th, 2022 7:36 am

    There better be no way that this family wins a lawsuit he killed his own grandmother he should have never made it to the jail house if you ask me anyways I’m glad he took his self out now us tax paying citizens aren’t paying for him to lounge around in prison

  22. Bewildered on January 20th, 2022 7:22 am

    - attorneys take any case to rake in money for themselves – another unfavorable picture of the profession. It’s always amazing how previously unconcerned family members come crawling out from under the rocks when they smell money. The public should not even be required to pay for round-the-clock security for these monsters. They show no mercy toward their victims, why pamper and cuddle them ?

  23. Steve on January 20th, 2022 7:13 am

    The “lawyers” are just looking for money. The family of the VICTIM should be the first in line if they win, and take every penny from them. But the murderer wanted to die and got his wish.

  24. Concerned Citizen on January 20th, 2022 7:09 am

    There isn’t a human being in Escambia County that would sit in as a juror and would side with this Law suit. He got exactly what he deserved!

  25. JTV on January 20th, 2022 4:47 am

    Let’s just call it justice served and move on. A murderer dies in custody by his own hands should be what we all are happy with. Rest In Peace Mrs Fournier.

  26. Bobby C. on January 20th, 2022 2:54 am

    Google says that it takes a person 4 minutes to die from hanging. If the guy lived in the hospital for 2 days after hanging himself then it sounds like those correctional officers got to him pretty quick. I’m sure they can’t sit and stare at 1 person for an entire 12 hour shift.