Inmate found dead in cell at Lake County Jail
LAKE COUNTY, Ill. — An investigation is underway after an inmate was found dead inside his cell at the Lake County Jail on Friday morning.
According to officials from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, the 61-year-old inmate was found unresponsive in his cell, just before 7:30 a.m., by a correctional officer at the facility who was conducting rounds in Pod 3 Southeast.
Authorities say the correctional officer had noticed the man, who was lying on his bed, appeared to be unresponsive. After the officer called out to the inmate and did not get an answer, he entered the cell and found him unconscious and not breathing.
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The officer then called in a medical emergency on his radio and medical staff arrived to conduct life-saving measures. Waukegan paramedics later arrived and took over the scene. After performing medical care, the inmate was pronounced dead.
According to deputies, the inmate had initially been sent to the jail on April 26, to serve a 60-day sentence, after he pleaded guilty to driving while having a revoked license. He had been assigned to a single-inmate cell.
Deputies say when rounds were conducted about 30 minutes prior to the incident, the inmate did not appear to be in distress.
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Authorities added that the inmate, who had underlying health conditions, did not appear to have any suspicious marks or injuries on his body.
Authorities have not yet identified the man and an independent investigation by the Lake County Major Crime Task Force has been requested by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, per protocol.
An autopsy will be conducted by the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
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