An investigation is underway following the death of an inmate at the county jail early Thursday morning, October 15.
According to Sheriff Mitch Ralston, the inmate was discovered unresponsive in his cell by jail staff. Emergency medical personnel responded, but the inmate did not survive.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been called in to conduct an independent investigation into the death.
Sheriff Ralston released the following statement Thursday morning:
INMATE DEATH AT THE COUNTY JAIL
Thursday, October 15, 2026
Early this morning, an inmate in the County Jail was found unresponsive in his cell by jail staff. Emergency medical personnel were summoned and responded quickly to the scene, but the inmate did not survive. The Sheriff’s Office has requested an independent investigation into this death by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), which is standard procedure in any in-custody death. GBI agents are on scene at this time along with Sheriff’s detectives, and the County Coroner. The GBI-led investigation is active and ongoing, and additional details will be forthcoming.
From Sheriff Mitch Ralston