Inmate Found Unresponsive, Dies Inside Bibb County Law Enforcement Center

UPDATE: The deceased inmate was 51-year-old Willie Edward Drake Jr. He was being held in the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center for the charges of Criminal Trespass and Probation Violation.

Original Post:

MACON, GA – Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigators are examining the death of an inmate inside the Bibb County Law Enforcement Center after the individual was found unresponsive in his cell Tuesday evening.

The incident was reported at approximately 6:31 p.m., when corrections deputies discovered the inmate and immediately began life-saving measures. Emergency Medical Services responded to the facility, but the inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene by Bibb County Coroner Leon Jones.

Because the death occurred while the individual was in custody, an autopsy will be conducted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office of Professional Standards Internal Affairs Unit is also conducting a parallel investigation, as required in all in-custody deaths.

The identity of the deceased is being withheld at this time pending notification of next of kin.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office expressed its condolences to the inmate’s family and to all those impacted by the loss as the investigation continues.