ORANGE COUNTY, Texas — An Orange County inmate died Monday after being found unresponsive in his jail cell the night before, according to a news release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

Jail staff were conducting routine inmate checks around 7:54 p.m. on Dec. 7 when they discovered the inmate unresponsive and alone in his cell. Staff immediately entered and began performing lifesaving measures, continuing until paramedics arrived, the release said.

The inmate was taken by ambulance to a hospital in Beaumont. He died there at 11:30 a.m. on Dec. 8.

Jefferson County Justice of the Peace Ben Collins has ordered an autopsy. The Texas Rangers are conducting the custodial death investigation.

His identification is being withheld until next of kin are notified.

See Full Page