Suit Filed in Utah Man’s Death at Homeless Housing

The children of a Utah man found dead in a temporary housing complex for the homeless are suing Salt Lake City and its housing office, claiming both were negligent.

Roy Cohoe was found dead at the Sunrise Metro Apartments Jan. 5, 2010, after binging on alcohol.

Attorneys for Cohoe’s family say in court papers that the 55-year-old veteran’s death could have been prevented if staff had sought help from emergency medical providers.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Salt Lake City’s 3rd District Court. It seeks a jury trial and financial damages topping $300,000.

The city, its housing office and Sunrise Housing, LLC are named as defendants in the lawsuit.

Messages left for a city spokesman and a complex property manager on Wednesday were not immediately returned.