In custody death at the Hamilton County Detention Center

(Courtesy: MGN)

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) —  There was an inmate death in the Hamilton County Detention Center late Thursday night.

At 11:00 p.m. July 25, 2024, Hamilton County Sherriff’s Office Corrections deputies that were assigned to the Echo Unit were advised of a possible hanging in a cell.

Staff and medical personnel responded immediately, along with The Chattanooga Fire Department (CFD) and Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services (HCEMS) as they were already on site for an unrelated medical call.

The inmate was removed from the cell, and medical personnel performed CPR and life-saving measures.  Shortly after, the inmate, William Griffin, was pronounced dead by HCEMS.

HCSO says there are cell checks at least once every hour per the standards of the Tennessee Corrections Institute (TCI), and Griffin was checked on within that timeframe.

He was booked into the Hamilton County Jail on July 1, 2024 with the following charges:

• Possession of Methamphetamine
• Controlled Substance
• Possession of Paraphernalia
• Driving on Revoked, Suspended License

Griffin’s family has been notified, and his death is currently under investigation by HCSO’s Investigative Services.