The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office is actively investigating the death of an inmate, George Leavens, who reportedly died after a medical incident at Falkenburg Road Jail. Leavens, 67, was transported to Tampa General Hospital last Sunday and was pronounced dead five days later.
Records show that Leavens was being held on charges including grand theft and burglary of an occupied dwelling. Authorities have not made any immediate suggestions of foul play in his death, but the circumstances leading to the medical incident in question are still under review. The investigation aims to thoroughly examine the events that alarmed the jail staff prompting them to quickly seek emergency medical treatment for the 67-year-old inmate.
In a news release obtained by Tampa Bay Times, the Sheriff's Office stated that "Leavens was taken to Tampa General Hospital on Sunday and died at the hospital on Friday."
The preliminary findings were echoed by a report from The Tampa Free Press, which suggested that Leavens suffered a medical event while in custody.
Details of Leavens' death, which came while he was under the responsibility of the penal system, have raised concerns and prompted the Sheriff's Office to promise a thorough investigation. Contacted by WFLA News Channel 8, officials conveyed that Leaven’s family was notified of the incident. The Sheriff's Office reassures the public and the concerned family that the probe into Leavens' death will be exhaustive and transparent. However, as of now, no further information has been released regarding the ongoing investigation.
