Camden, Tenn.–Charges are pending against a Benton County Jail inmate following the death of a fellow inmate at the jail.
Sheriff Kenny Christopher said in a news release that Inmate Christopher Ellis was found unresponsive during a routine cell check at the jail at 5:30 p.m. May 24.
“Attempts by jail staff and emergency medical personnel to revive Mr. Ellis were unsuccessful and Mr. Ellis did pass away,” Christopher said. “The 24th Judicial District Attorney’s Office was notified and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was requested to investigate the death. No further action was taken until agents arrived at the jail to investigate.”
The TBI, the local medical examiner’s office and an investigator with the District Attorney responded to the jail and conducted an investigation, he said.
Ellis’ body was transported to the state medical examiner’s office in Nashville for an autopsy and the preliminary investigation indicates that Ellis’ death was the result of a drug overdose.
Christopher said, “Charges against another inmate are pending the conclusion of the investigation. The sheriff and his staff wish to express their condolences to Mr. Ellis’ family.”