MBI investigates inmate found dead at Lowndes County jail
LOWNDES COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) – An inmate in the Lowndes County jail was found dead in their cell.
An investigation is now underway to determine how he died.
Coroner Greg Merchant said 52-year-old Eddie Thomas Jr. was found by corrections officers.
Sheriff Eddie Hawkins said his staff started life-saving measures around 5:30 a.m.
Hawkins told WCBI that Thomas was in his cell by himself all night.
He had been in jail for 56 days.
Thomas was charged with possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.
By law, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is in charge of the death investigation.
Merchant said there were no signs of trauma and the death appeared to be natural.
However, an autopsy must be done at the state medical examiner’s office.
