Tragedy once again struck the Oklahoma County Detention Center, as an inmate was found dead on Saturday evening, making this the second such occurrence in the new year. Upon discovery of 37-year-old Vincent Riggie unresponsive during a routine check around 7 p.m., immediate efforts to resuscitate him ensued, but proved unsuccessful, as reported by KFOR.
Authorities shared with KFOR, that Riggie, who had been booked into the jail on November 4, 2024, on charges of aggravated trafficking of illegal drugs and possession of a controlled substance and held on a $50,000 bond. Upon finding him during sight checks, they administered NARCAN, an anti-overdose medication, although he did not survive. While held on a significant bail, Riggie's unfortunate death serves as an echo of the jail's troubled past with inmate fatalities.
The incident now falls under the scrutiny of an ongoing investigation, with the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office stepping in to determine Riggie's cause of death. In a statement obtained by KOCO, officials at the Oklahoma County Detention Center have confirmed both the attempt to revive Riggie and the investigation status. EMSA paramedics and Oklahoma City Fire Department personnel responded, continuing life-saving measures that ultimately fell short.
Further details of the incident remain sparse, with the Oklahoma County Department of Corrections noting the preliminary stage of the investigation. According to the Oklahoman, Riggie's relatives have been informed. His death casts a long shadow over the facility, which had reported seven inmate deaths the previous year and another earlier this January, namely that of 42-year-old Vincent George Burke, who died after less than 24 hours in custody.
