A 49-year-old inmate died Sunday morning inside the Kenosha County Jail after he was found unresponsive in the facility’s medical ward dorm and could not be revived. Jail staff, on-site medical personnel and the Kenosha Fire Department worked to save his life before he was pronounced dead. Authorities are withholding his name while they notify relatives and continue gathering information.
What Officials Say
Deputies said the man was discovered unresponsive at about 8:12 a.m., and emergency responders immediately began resuscitation efforts at the jail, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. In line with department policy for serious incidents in custody, the Racine County Sheriff’s Office has been called in to conduct an independent investigation. The Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office said it will release additional information when it is available.
Sheriff’s Statement
“On behalf of the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Office, I extend my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones,” Sheriff David Zoerner said, according to FOX6 News Milwaukee. The agency said any death in custody is treated with the “utmost seriousness” and pledged to cooperate fully with the outside review. Officials did not disclose what led to the medical emergency and said more details would follow as the case develops.
Investigation And Context
Regional practice calls for an outside agency to investigate deaths that occur in custody, and previous incidents in the Kenosha area have prompted similar independent reviews, local outlets reported. CBS58 has previously covered those types of investigations.
The Kenosha County Detentions Division oversees both a downtown Pre-Trial Facility and a larger Detention Center, according to Kenosha County. Authorities said the Racine County Sheriff’s Office will lead the current probe and have promised updates as investigators continue their work.
