A Memphis man has filed a federal lawsuit against the city and its police department after he says an officer took an inappropriate photo of his deceased mother while responding to a wellness check.
LeMichael D. Wilson alleges that after his 69-year-old mother, LaJuanese Trannon, was found dead inside her home in July 2025, a Memphis Police Department (MPD) lieutenant photographed her body while she was partially nude.
According to the complaint, Wilson discovered the image days later when it appeared in his mother’s iPhone photo memories. The photo reportedly showed her lying on a bed wearing only underwear, with medical electrode pads visible on her back.
Wilson says the discovery left him shocked and outraged, raising concerns about dignity and respect for the deceased.
Timeline of Events
Police were initially called to the home on July 1, 2025, after Wilson requested a welfare check when he could not reach his mother. First responders later determined she had died from a pulmonary embolism.
However, phone records cited in the lawsuit indicate that while Wilson was already in contact with authorities as the next of kin, a photo was taken on the device minutes later.
Wilson claims he was only shown a brief portion of body camera footage — about 10 seconds — which allegedly shows an officer taking the photo and attempting to delete it.
Police Response
In a statement, Memphis police said the image was taken accidentally while an officer was attempting to access the phone to find contact information for a family member. The department added that the photo was deleted and that an internal investigation cleared the officer of wrongdoing.
Legal Action
Wilson is now seeking damages for emotional distress and is asking the court to declare the officer’s actions unconstitutional. He is also demanding the release of all body camera footage from the incident, arguing that the full video could provide critical context.
He has also questioned whether the image may have been shared beyond the scene — a concern that remains unresolved.
“Why was my mother’s dignity not protected?” Wilson said, emphasizing that the case is about broader principles of respect and accountability.
Broader Concerns
The case raises larger questions about police conduct, privacy rights, and how law enforcement handles sensitive situations involving deceased individuals.
As the lawsuit moves forward in federal court, it could set a precedent regarding accountability and the handling of personal devices and images during death investigations.
