A 55-year-old male inmate at the Sangamon County Jail was found unresponsive in his cell on the morning of February 18, 2025.
According to officials, correctional staff discovered the individual alone and unresponsive at approximately 8:29 a.m. Medical assistance was requested two minutes later while staff initiated life-saving measures, including CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).
Emergency personnel transported the inmate to HSHS St. John’s Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 8:59 a.m. An autopsy conducted later that day found no signs of injury or trauma. Preliminary findings suggest the individual died from natural causes, though final results are pending toxicology reports.
In a statement, the Sangamon County Sheriff's office said, "There is no indication or reports of foul play or any external factors contributing to his death. Correctional staff followed all proper procedures in their response to this medical emergency. The routine checks were conducted as scheduled, and personnel acted swiftly upon discovering the unresponsive individual. Unfortunately, despite their immediate efforts and the intervention of medical professionals, nothing more could have been done to prevent this outcome."
Authorities have not yet released the inmate’s identity, pending notification of next of kin. The incident remains under investigation.