Pettis County Jail Inmate Dies While In Custody

On Thursday, Aug. 20 at around 3:30 a.m., Pettis County Jail staff were alerted to a middle-aged male inmate having difficulty breathing.

Staff moved the inmate from his cell to begin medical protocol, and PCAD was called to the scene.

Upon arrival, the patient was placed in the ambulance for transport to Bothwell Regional Health Center, but the patient became unresponsive.

Resuscitation was attempted, but efforts were unsuccessful.

Pettis County Coroner Robert “Skip” Smith called to the scene and pronounced the man deceased. Pettis County Sheriff's Detectives investigated the scene, and an autopsy was scheduled at the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia.

At the time of the report, no foul play was suspected and it is believed the inmate died from a medical issue.

The man's name was not released.