A man who was found unresponsive in a Hartford police holding cell has died and authorities said the death appears to be from medical issues, but they will hold an internal investigation.
The police booking staff initially thought the 49-year-old man was sleeping, but they realized when they went to wake him at 6:30 a.m. Sunday that he was unresponsive.
An ambulance then took him to St. Francis Hospital and he was pronounced dead at 7:30 a.m.
The victim had been in the Hartford Police booking facility since 2 p.m. Friday on several burglary-related charges, according to police.
Authorities said he had been taken to the hospital twice because of pre-existing medical issues and was released back to Hartford Police custody both times.
According to police, there were no immediate signs of suicide or foul play.
They said this is considered an “in-custody death” and police immediately notified the state’s attorney’s office and also notified the internal affairs division and major crimes division.
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Police said the death appears to be a natural, medical-related death but there will be a complete internal investigation.
The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and the findings were "pending further studies" but nothing suspicious was discovered, according to police, and more lab tests are needed to determine the exact cause of death.
