Avoyelles Detention Center inmate dies; several more treated for unknown illness

 

    An Avoyelles Detention Center inmate, found choking in his cell last Thursday, died Saturday afternoon in Avoyelles Hospital.

    Joseph Redmond Jr., 25, of Opelousas, was serving a state sentence for probation and parole violation for a prior conviction on unathorized use of a motor vehicle, Chief Deputy Steve Martel said.

    At about 1 p.m. Saturday, Redmond was removed from the ventillator and pronounced dead.

    Coroner L.J. Mayeux said the death “appears to be accidental.” However, until the autopsy results are received in about six to eight weeks, “the cause of death is officially ‘unknown.’”

    That same day, several other inmates were treated and released at the hospital for symptoms including nauseau, dizziness and stomach cramps. Mayeux said it is not known if Redmond's case is related to the less-serious incidents.