Tia Lynn Meyers
Photograph of Tia Lynn Meyers, obtained from Divine Mercy Funeral Home.
Tia Lynn Meyers was bursting with liveliness. Like this short Facebook message demonstrates, she is remembered by her family and friends as being an absolute force of nature in all aspects of life. Every recollection of Tia pulls into the spotlight the image of a woman who was loud and feisty, whose fiery personality was matched only by her spirited self-expression. Her friend Marlene Lake mused in a dedication to Tia, “I can’t even imagine how the other Angels will handle your constant haircuts and color changes!”
However, nothing is a more fitting testament to Tia’s strength than her role as a mother to her young girls: Adeiah, Eliana, Imogen, and Verity. In 2009, she weathered the loss of her daughter Alaina, who tragically passed away before reaching even her first birthday. Despite such a devastating loss, Tia channeled her vivacious character and incredible perseverance to push through and dedicate herself to her four daughters, by whom she is survived.
Tia Lynn was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Her life was cut short on August 29, 2020 at the Whitley County Jail in Indiana, at the age of 32.
Photograph of Tia and one of her daughters, obtained from Divine Mercy Funeral Home.
The circumstances of Tia’s sudden death were shrouded in mystery and confusion, prompting Tia’s mother Tamara Meyers to hire attorney Stephen Wagner to open an investigation into Tia’s passing. With the fragmented and inconsistent information from the jail, what Mr. Wagner proposes is a case of appalling neglect. In the three days that Tia was detained prior to her death, she had complained to family members that she wasn’t feeling well, and other people detained there testified that she had been visibly suffering from withdrawal. From the inconsistencies between the jail and the coroner, it is clear that Tia did not receive the medical care that she needed in those days leading up to her death. Beyond revealing this alarming lack of care, her lawyer’s investigation further makes clear that Tia was not even properly monitored, as is jail policy. In the end, while the investigation clarified some aspects of Tia’s death, the neglect and suffering that she faced at the hands of the system makes this discovery of little comfort to her surviving family.
Tia Lynn is remembered as a mischievous soul, a larger-than-life character with a boisterous affection for life. We mourn her loss, and we hope that her daughters grow up in the memory of Tia’s persevering spirit.
This memorial was written by MOL team member Olivia Walker with information from reporting by Briana Brownlee of Wane 15, a Facebook post by Marlene Lake, and Tia Lynn Meyers’ obituary published by Divine Mercy Funeral Home.
Messages and Memories
“Tia Lynn where do I begin!
You were so feisty!
You were so open!
You were a friend to all!
You loved your daughter’s more than life itself!
You will be missed so much by your family and friends!
We all know that you are in Heaven watching over all of us!”
- Marlene Lake
As we have been attempting mourn for the last two years, there has been constant unrest. On August 25, 2022, Tia’s case is finally coming to fruition - holding those responsible accountable for their negligence....and in Tia’s case, torture.
I have always described my daughter as "fairy dust and hurricanes." She sparkled brighter than anyone I have ever known....and when she wasn’t happy with something....just get out of the way. I still talk to her every day.
https://www.wpta21.com/2022/08/25/federal-wrongful-death-lawsuit-filed-following-inmate-death-whitley-co-jail/
- Tia’s Mom