An 84-year old prisoner died Thursday in a Miller County Sheriff's Department transport van on his way back to the Fulton Reception and Diagnostic Center, a minimum-security jail in central Missouri.
The cause of death is believed to be natural causes.
According to officials at the Miller County Sheriff's Department, the driver of the van had just pulled into Jefferson City limits when he noticed something wrong. The driver pulled over and called for assistance.
The Cole County Medical Examiner's Office is performing the autopsy.
The Jefferson City Police Department is conducting the investigation.
The Miller County Sheriff's Department said the man spent the last week in the county jail awaiting a hearing before being transferred back to the Fulton facility.
All prisoners, officials noted, are restrained by handcuffs which are attached to a belt that is wrapped around the waist. Each prisoner's legs are also bound.
Prisoners are also seat belted, authorities said.
The name of the prisoner will not be released until the next of kin has been notified.
Contact this reporter at the Lake Sun newsroom at 573-346-2132 or by e-mail at deanna.wheeler@lakesunonline.com
