Inmate found dead at Grant County Jail

EPHRATA — Grant County detectives are looking into the death of an inmate who was declared dead at the Grant County Jail on Sunday.

Corrections deputies reportedly found the 34-year-old male inmate in his bunk about 10:45 a.m. and emergency services was alerted. Deputies performed CPR and other life-saving techniques, but the inmate was pronounced dead by paramedics. His name wasn’t released.

The inmate’s body is in the care of the Grant County Coroner’s Office, where an autopsy is scheduled to be performed.

“Consistent with department policy, a detective will investigate the death. Foul play is currently not suspected,” stated the Grant County Sheriff’s Office in a news release. “Due to the investigation, inmate visitation this evening at the Grant County Jail is canceled.”

Sheriff’s office spokesman Kyle Foreman told the Columbia Basin Herald deputies are tracking down the inmate’s family, and his identity, along with additional information, will be released on Monday.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.