Inmate dies at Lee County Detention Facility
Investigators are trying to determine what led to the death of a Lee County inmate.
Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones tells Action 8 News that around 4:45 a.m. today, Corrections Deputies were conducting cell checks and serving breakfast when they discovered a male inmate unresponsive in his cell.
Medics with Opelika Fire and Rescue and ETS Medical responded, but Sheriff Jones said despite lifesaving efforts, the 39-year-old unidentified inmate was pronounced dead at 5:10 a.m.
Jones said there did not appear to be any signs of trauma on the initial view of the inmate.
The inmate, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin, was booked into the Lee County Detention Facility on July 17, 2024, on four failure to appear warrants involving charges of domestic violence, misdemeanor drug possession and two traffic violations.
Jones said as with standard policy that requires an outside agency to investigate, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office is taking over the case.
