Skip to Main Content
Metro Atlanta

Cobb confirms another jail death, few details released

08/20/2020 - Marietta, Georgia - The exterior of the Cobb County Adult Detention Center in Marietta, Thursday, August 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)
08/20/2020 - Marietta, Georgia - The exterior of the Cobb County Adult Detention Center in Marietta, Thursday, August 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER / ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)
Meris Lutz
By Meris Lutz

The Cobb Medical Examiner’s office confirmed Friday that it has received the body of a person who died recently in custody of the county Sheriff’s Office.

The deceased appears to be the 10th person housed at the jail to die in custody since December 2018 and the third this year.

An autopsy is scheduled to begin today. The ME’s office declined to identify the deceased pending notification of next of kin and referred questions to the Sheriff’s Office.

The Cobb Sheriff’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.

In September, District Attorney Joyette Holmes asked the Department of Justice to conduct an independent investigation of inmate deaths at the Cobb County Adult Detention Center following a public outcry over conditions at the jail.

Holmes, who has since lost her bid at reelection, referred questions Friday to the DoJ.

The DoJ has previously acknowledged receiving the request. A spokesman said Friday he could not confirm or deny the existence of an investigation.

The following people have died at the jail since December, 2018:

Reginald Wilson, 54, who was mentally ill, died of dehydration. He was found unresponsive in his cell on Dec. 29, 2018.

Jessie Myles, 31, died of an drug overdose in a holding cell on Feb. 25, 2019.

Bradley Emory, 33, was found unresponsive in the shower with a sheet around his neck March 10, 2019. His death was ruled suicide.