Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office investigating the death of an inmate at the Natchitoches Parish Detention Center

On February 25, 2021 inmate Vernell Brooks, 38, of Natchitoches, was found unresponsive by Corrections Officers in his cell at approximately 12:52 AM between routine monitoring.

Once Brooks was discovered, first responders from NRMC, NFD, and NPDC Medical Staff were immediately notified while Officers began conducting CPR. Upon their arrival, CPR continued as Brooks was transported to the Natchitoches Regional Medical Center where all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. An autopsy was then ordered to determine the cause and manner of death.

According to Sheriff Stuart Wright, Investigators from the Corrections and Criminal Investigations Bureaus, along with Natchitoches Parish Coroner’s Office, are conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Brooks death.

Further information will be released upon the conclusion of this investigation.

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