Another inmate has died at Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel, and officials say they are once again waiting on an autopsy to explain what went wrong. Authorities have identified the man as David Closson, the latest name added to a months-long string of unexpected fatalities at the prison that has already drawn sharp scrutiny from state leaders and local law enforcement.
Inmate Identified, Timeline Still Murky
The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections confirmed Closson's death. According to WBRZ, officials identified the inmate as David Closson and requested an autopsy to determine what caused his death.
The department's statement listed the death as reported on March 6. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi told WAFB that the inmate was found over the weekend and died Saturday, March 7, highlighting a small but notable discrepancy in the timeline. Officials have not released further details while they wait for the coroner's findings.
Rising Death Toll, Aging Prison Population
Closson's death is the latest in what state officials have already called a troubling pattern at Elayn Hunt. KPEL reported that at least 18 inmates have died unexpectedly at the facility since Sept. 23, 2025. The Louisiana Radio Network reported that the Department of Public Safety and Corrections recorded 47 total deaths at Elayn Hunt in 2025, 18 of which were classified as unexpected.
Department leaders have pointed to an aging inmate population and evolving drug threats inside the walls as factors that complicate their efforts to keep prisoners alive and the facility stable.
Contraband Crackdown and Staff Under the Microscope
State officials say they have tightened visitor searches and staged targeted operations in an effort to choke off contraband moving through the prison. In a February Department of Public Safety and Corrections release, the agency said two Elayn Hunt employees were arrested on malfeasance charges and additional staff members were placed on investigative leave as part of that push.
The same release notes that recent searches have led to arrests and transfers of inmates believed to be involved in trafficking contraband. Officials maintain that these measures are designed to improve safety inside the prison while separate death investigations move forward.
Autopsy Ordered as Investigators Dig In
An autopsy has been requested, and the Iberville Parish coroner will determine the official cause and manner of Closson's death, WBRZ reports. State and local investigators say they plan to share their findings with the public as they become available, and the department has pledged to provide updates on safety and operational changes while the broader probe into inmate deaths continues.
As initial reports on Closson's death were published, family members and inmate advocates had not yet made public statements.
Legal Fallout and Oversight Loom
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections release states that the staff arrests are part of an ongoing criminal inquiry, and that the Iberville Parish Sheriff's Office is assisting with enforcement efforts. "My office will continue to work jointly with correction’s leadership," Sheriff Brett Stassi said in the statement.
Investigators have indicated that, depending on what the autopsy and toxicology tests reveal, the findings could trigger additional criminal charges or internal disciplinary actions as the state continues to confront the mounting death toll at Elayn Hunt.
