LIBERTY COUNTY, Texas — A Liberty County inmate is dead after he was found on his cell floor unresponsive.
The sheriff's office identified the man as Joseph Daniel Edwards, 58, of Dayton.
According to a press release by the Liberty County Sheriff's Office, at approximately 8 p.m. Thursday evening the man was found on the floor of his jail cell during a routine bed check.
An ambulance was immediately called and the inmate was rushed to the Liberty Dayton Regional Hospital in the City of Liberty, according to the release.
Edwards was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time after arriving.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Texas Rangers and Liberty County Sheriff’s Lead Investigator Steven Rasberry.
An autopsy performed on Monday shows Edwards died as a result of a heart attack 'with a more medically exact description being Atherosclerotic and Hypertension Cardiovascular Disease,' according to a release from the sheriff's office.
From a Liberty County Sheriff's Office news release on Monday:
The inmate found unresponsive in the Liberty County Jail and later expired at a local hospital has now been identified by the Texas Rangers, who are leading the investigation into his death, as 58 year old Joseph Daniel Edwards who carried a Dayton, Texas address.
The autopsy that was completed today reflects that Edwards passed away as a result of a heart attack with a more medically exact description being Atherosclerotic and Hypertension Cardiovascular Disease. This, of course, shows his death was of natural causes.
From a Liberty County Sheriff's Office news release:
At approximately 8:pm Thursday evening, a male inmate at the Liberty County Jail facility was found unresponsive on the floor of his cell by Correctional Officers on a routine bed check. An ambulance was immediately called and the inmate was rushed to the Liberty Dayton Regional Hospital in the City of Liberty.
Despite the best life-saving efforts of the hospital staff the inmate was pronounced deceased a short time after arriving at the emergency room.
The investigation is being conducted jointly by the Texas Rangers and Liberty County Sheriff’s Lead Investigator Steven Rasberry. Division Commander Captain Billy Knox said that an autopsy was ordered and will be conducted Monday to determine the cause of death.
At this time the inmate’s name is being withheld until it is assured that all of his family members have been notified. The joint investigation by both law enforcement agencies is continuing. (END)
Capt. Ken DeFoor
Public Information Officer
Liberty County Sheriff’s Office