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For Immediate Release
Date: November 23, 2020
Contact: Sheriff Jeff Easter
Telephone: 316-660-3900

Inmate Death 11.23.2020

A Sedgwick County inmate who had history of chronic medical issues prior to incarceration when he was booked into Jail in late-October, 2020 was admitted to the hospital on October 29, 2020 for concerns about mental status.  On October 31, 2020 the hospital discharged this inmate and he was returned to the Detention Facility Clinic for care. 

On November 6, 2020 this inmate was again transported to the hospital after falling in the Clinic.  After being admitted to the hospital this inmate was placed in intensive care and eventually on a ventilator.  While in the hospital this inmate tested positive for COVID-19.  On November 23, 2020 the 68 year old man was pronounced dead shortly before 3:00 PM.  The preliminary cause of death is unknown pending an autopsy.

The Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Investigation Division were notified.  The inmate’s family was notified on November 20, 2020 about the inmate’s serious medical condition and they were allowed to visit him several times this weekend.  The family has requested the inmate’s identity be withheld.  The inmate was being held in the Sedgwick County Detention Facility on felony sex crime charges and had been in custody since late October 2020. 

The Sedgwick County Detention Facility has booked over 16,000 people so far this year.  This is the second in-custody death for 2020.