The Durango Police Department is investigating the death of an inmate Sunday in the La Plata County Jail.
La Plata County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Dan Bender said the inmate, a 67-year-old white man, was alone in a locked single cell at the time of his death, and no foul play is suspected.
The inmate partook in roll call Sunday morning, and he was given his breakfast tray. Deputies returned to retrieve his tray around 7:30 a.m., and they found the man on the floor, unresponsive. Deputies and paramedics performed life-saving efforts before the man was taken to Mercy Regional Medical Center, where he died.
The man had served about 11 months of a court-ordered sentence at the time of his death.
Because the Sheriff’s Office does not have information about the man’s next of kin and is trying to reach family members, the department would not release the man’s name or further details about his sentence. The inmate’s identity will be released when family is notified.
In addition to the police investigation, the Sheriff’s Office is conducting an internal investigation.
An autopsy will be performed Tuesday to determine cause of death.
jpace@durangoherald.com
