An inmate at Shelby County Jail, identified as 24-year-old Dalton Goddard, was found unresponsive in his cell on Wednesday evening and was later pronounced dead, according to a statement from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office obtained by Action News 5. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is set to conduct an inquiry into the circumstances of his death, following a request from Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.
The TBI, looking into the case, did not reveal an immediate cause of death, pending the results of an autopsy. Having been found around 11:30 on Wednesday, the Memphis Fire Department pronounced Goddard deceased, as reported by FOX13 Memphis.
ABC24 adds context to this incident, noting that Goddard’s death is at least the seventh in Shelby County Jail in 2025 and at least the 75th since 2016. Goddard had been in custody at the facility located at 201 Poplar Avenue since being arrested on several charges, ranging from possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture, deliver, or sell, to driving while his license was suspended, based on jail records.
Just 10 days before his death, Goddard was apprehended by the Tennessee Highway Patrol for exceeding the speed limit. During that traffic stop, the officer discovered a significant amount of illegal substances in his possession, including marijuana, THC wax, and mushrooms. Charged on multiple counts, Goddard was due in court on Thursday, as per, while the autopsy still outstanding, FOX13 Memphis mentioned.
While the investigation continues, the occurrence of another death within the walls of Shelby County Jail is likely to raise concerns regarding the conditions and operations of the facility. The Sheriff’s Office has not released further comments on the matter, keeping ongoing investigations in view.
