On March 1, another Death Row inmate died as a result of a Hepatitis C infection. Since executions were placed on hold in 2014, five Death Row inmates have died. Representatives of these individuals announced all five deaths were related to infections and complications of Hepatitis C. Deceased individuals include George Lopez, Albert Carreon, Shawn Lynch, Graham Henry, and most recently, Brian Dann.

Hepatitis C is a virus that originates in the liver. While treatable, the virus causes few symptoms which makes it difficult to diagnose or treat in a timely manner. Some symptoms of Hepatitis C could include stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea, and fatigue. The virus is spread through blood or bodily fluids; commonly contracted by sharing drugs/needles or passed on as an STD.

Although statistics of prisoners living with Hepatitis C are staggeringly high—approximately 10 percent of inmates in state prisons, according to a 2016 Yale study—most inmates are entering the prison population already infected. According to the same Yale study, treatment for an individual with Hepatitis C ranges from $43,000 and $94,500.

Arizona Corrections Department reports there are currently 116 Death Row inmates in the state. However, a federal court case in 2014 resulted in a hold on all executions after an experimental lethal injection was ineffective. In Arizona, access to approved drugs used in executions is still unavailable. Currently, there are no scheduled executions.