Inmate death blamed on heart failure

Published 7:00 am Wednesday, December 2, 2015

A federal inmate being held at the Pearl River County jail died last week at Highland Community Hospital after he allegedly suffered from heart failure, Pearl River County Coroner Derek Turnage said.

The inmate’s identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

On Nov. 27 at 12:18 p.m., county correction officers escorted 17 inmates to the recreation yard to get fresh air and exercise, Pearl River County Sheriff David Allison said.

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The federal inmate was playing basketball, along with others, when at 1:05 p.m., an officer saw him fall on his back on the basketball court, Allison said.

As the officer approached the man, he noticed the man to appear to be having a seizure or some type of medical emergency. The nurse on duty proceeded to conduct CPR before calling the ambulance at 1:10 p.m. The ambulance arrived at 1:21 p.m. and took the man to Highland Community Hospital, where he died, Allison said.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation did an initial investigation of the case but, Turnage said, “No foul play is suspected. We’re working with federal marshals to get him back to his country.”