Crime & Safety

Inmate's Death 'Not Suspicious,' Name Released

Joe Dent was identified as the inmate who died in jail on Wednesday. Douglas County Coroner Randy Daniel said although the autopsy is not back yet, the death was from natural causes and not suspicious.

Joe Dent, 53, was identified as the inmate who died in the Douglas County Jail on Wednesday. Douglas County Coroner Randy Daniel said although the autopsy is not back yet, the death was from natural causes and not suspicious.

Daniel said Dent weighed about 400 pounds and had a pacemaker. He also had chronic kidney disorder and was diabetic.

Because he died in custody, an autopsy is mandated by the State, Daniel said, and although the results may not be known for several weeks, the determination will be heart-failure related. "He was in bad shape," Daniel said.

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