GRANT CO., Wash. -- UPDATE: The Grant County Sheriff's Office said identified the inmate death as a Moses Lake man who was arrested only four days before his death.
GCSO said the inmate was identified as Richard Lambert, 31, of Moses Lake. Officials said his family was notified.
According to GCSO, Lambert originally was booked into the Grant County Jail on suspicion of criminal trespassing and obstructing law enforcement in connection to an investigation through the Moses Lake Police Department.
Sheriff Joe Kriete with the Grant County Sheriff's Department said the Central Basin Investigative Team or CBIT, will be conducting the inquiry into Lambert's death.
Sheriff Kriete said when CBIT's inquiry is complete, the case will be given to the Benton County Sheriff's Office to conduct an administrative investigation into the agency's policies.
"No Grant County Sheriff’s Office employees will serve as investigators for the inquiries.
The pace of the inquiries is up to the investigators. As with any investigation, thoroughness and accuracy take priority over speed. The results of these inquiries may provide information that we can act upon to help make necessary changes.
Once the investigations are complete, I will share the reports with the public along with what steps we will take to mitigate the risk of in-custody incidents.” GCSO Sheriff Joe Kriete said.
According to the Grant County Coroner's Office, toxicology and bloodwork results into Lambert's death are still pending and the autopsy has been complete. No cause of death has been released.
ORIGINAL COVERAGE:
The Grant County Sheriff's Office said an investigation is underway after an inmate died at the County Jail.
GCSO said corrections deputies checked on an inmate that did not show up for breakfast around 6:15 a.m. Tuesday morning.
According to GCSO, the inmate was found unconscious and unresponsive in his bed.
GCSO said the Ephrata Police Department and LifeLine Ambulance responded to the scene and said the inmate had died.
According to detectives, early investigation does not show foul play was involved.
GCSO said the family was notified and the inmate will be identified later Tuesday afternoon.
Officials said the inmate's body is in the care of Coroner Craig Morrison and is waiting for an autopsy.
MORE ON APPLEVALLEYNEWSNOW.COM
COPYRIGHT 2024 BY APPLE VALLEY NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.