Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-01619/USCOURTS-caed-1_20-cv-01619-6/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 550
Nature of Suit: Prisoner - Civil Rights (U.S. defendant)
Cause of Action: 42:1983 Prisoner Civil Rights

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UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

RAHN GREGORY THOMPSON,

Plaintiff,

v.

C. PFEIFFER, et al.,

Defendants.

No. 1:20-cv-01619 KES GSA (PC)

ORDER DIRECTING DEFENDANT, IN 

LIGHT OF FILED NOTICE OF 

SUGGESTION OF DEATH (ECF No. 51), TO:

(1) SERVE CERTAIN ADDITIONAL 

DOCUMENTS ON PLAINTIFF’S NEXT OF 

KIN;

(2) FILE NOTICE OF SAME WITH THE 

COURT, AND

(3) FILE THE SERVICE ADDRESS OF 

PLAINTIFF’S NEXT OF KIN UNDER SEAL

(See ECF No. 51)

DEFENDANTS’ COMPLIANCE WITH THIS 

ORDER DUE IN SEVEN DAYS

Plaintiff, a former state prisoner proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, filed this civil 

rights action seeking relief under 42 U.S.C. § 1983. It appears that he has passed away since the 

filing of this action. See ECF No. 51. The matter was referred to a United States Magistrate 

Judge pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(b)(1)(B) and Local Rule 302. This matter is currently at the 

dispositive motion phase of the proceedings.

Case 1:20-cv-01619-KES-GSA Document 52 Filed 11/15/24 Page 1 of 4
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In light of the notice of suggestion of death recently filed (see ECF No. 51), defense 

counsel will be ordered to file under seal the service address of Plaintiff’s next of kin. The Court 

will also order the service of documents on Plaintiff’s next of kin that relate to Defendants’ 

pending motion for summary judgment. ECF Nos. 43, 49, 50 (motion for summary judgment; 

opposition; reply, respectively). Finally, counsel for Defendants will be ordered to file notice 

with the Court, indicating that said documents have been served. Counsel will be given seven 

days to comply with this order.

I. BACKGROUND

A. Relevant Procedural History

Prior to Plaintiff’s death, he was imprisoned at Mule Creek State Prison (“MCSP”). See

ECF No. 28 (notice of change of address). His original complaint was docketed in this matter on 

November 16, 2020. ECF No. 1. Thereafter, the matter was screened and on June 14, 2022, it

was ordered served on Defendants. ECF Nos. 10, 13, 14, 16 (screening order; findings and 

recommendations; order adopting same; service order, respectively).

On January 23, 2024, Defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. ECF No. 43. On 

March 25, 2024, Plaintiff filed an opposition to Defendants’ motion. ECF No. 49. Defendants 

filed their reply to Plaintiff’s opposition on April 8, 2024. As a result, the matter was deemed 

submitted and ready for the Court’s review.

B. Suggestion of Death Filed

On November 4, 2024, counsel for Defendants filed the instant notice of suggestion of 

death. ECF No. 51. In it, defense counsel states that on October 31, 2024, MCSP’s litigation 

coordinator confirmed that Plaintiff had passed away. Id. at 1-2.

According to counsel, Plaintiff’s file at the California Department of Corrections and 

Rehabilitation indicated that ShaRahn P. Thompson-Lewis is Plaintiff’s next of kin. ECF No. 51 

at 2. Based on this fact, and consistent with Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 4 and 25(a)(3), as 

well as relevant case law, defense counsel has stated he will serve the notice of suggestion of 

death as well as a copy of the operative complaint on Mr. / Ms. Thompson-Lewis. Id.

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II. DISCUSSION

Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25 governs the substitution of parties upon the death of a 

litigant. See generally Fed. R. Civ. P. 25. When the death of a plaintiff occurs, the rule permits 

the substitution of another party in that plaintiff’s stead when the deceased plaintiff’s claims are 

not extinguished. See id. Under it, a successor or representative who wishes to stand in a 

decedent’s place has ninety days from the date that a notice of suggestion of death is served to file 

a motion for substitution with a court. Fed. R. Civ. P. 25(a)(1). If this is not done within the 

ninety-day time period, a plaintiff’s action must be dismissed. Id.

Although defense counsel has stated his intent to serve Plaintiff’s complaint and the notice 

of suggestion of death on Plaintiff’s next of kin, ShaRahn P. Thompson-Lewis, given that this 

matter is at the dispositive stage of the proceedings, and the fact that Defendants’ motion for 

summary judgment is fully briefed and submitted, the Court finds that Defendants’ motion for 

summary judgment, Plaintiff’s opposition, Defendants’ reply, a copy of Rule 25 and a copy of 

this order should be served on ShaRahn P. Thompson-Lewis in order to provide that person with 

a complete picture of the status of these proceedings. To that end, defense counsel will be 

ordered to: (1) serve ShaRahn P. Thompson-Lewis with the summary judgment documents as 

well as a copy of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25 and a copy of this order; (2) file a notice 

with the Court stating said service has been completed, and (3) file the service address of 

ShaRahn P. Thompson-Lewis under seal so that the Court has an updated address for Plaintiff’s 

next of kin in its records.1

Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that within seven days of the date of this order, 

Defendants shall:

1. SERVE Plaintiff’s next of kin, ShaRahn P. Thompson-Lewis with the following:

a. Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 43);

b. Plaintiff’s opposition to Defendants’ motion for summary judgment (ECF No. 49);

1

 It appears that Documents filed in this case are still being sent to Plaintiff at MCSP. See ECF 

No. 51 (html receipt). This address for Plaintiff will be changed should Plaintiff’s next of kin 

choose to be substituted into this action in Plaintiff’s stead.

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c. Defendants’ reply to Plaintiff’s opposition to Defendants’ motion for summary 

judgment (ECF No. 50);

d. a Copy of Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 25, and

e. A copy of this order;

2. FILE NOTICE with the Court of said service, and

3. FILE the current / service address of Plaintiff’s next of kin, ShaRahn P. ThompsonLewis, UNDER SEAL.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Dated: November 14, 2024 /s/ Gary S. Austin 

 UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

Case 1:20-cv-01619-KES-GSA Document 52 Filed 11/15/24 Page 4 of 4