Investigation continues into Warm Springs man’s death in Jefferson County Jail
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The investigation into the in-custody jail death of Vern Sonny Heath is expected to take a few more weeks to complete, according to the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, which has been tasked with the outside investigation.
Heath, a 37-year-old Warm Springs man, was found dead and alone in a Jefferson County Jail cell in September.
According to court documents obtained by KTVZ News, Heath was being held at the Jefferson County Jail on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Heath was currently serving a deferred sentence dating back to earlier this year for Assault in the 4th Degree.
A family member told KTVZ News that Heath had seemed in good spirits prior to his death and had spoken with his wife earlier that week.
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, which is conducting the investigation, said it will likely take another week or two “as the team finalizes a few items.”
Earlier reporting:
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- An inmate's death at the Jefferson County Jail is currently under investigation by the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office.
KTVZ News has learned through a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs that Vern Sonny Heath's body was apparently found alone in a jail cell.
Heath, 37, was a tribal citizen of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. According to a tribal member, Heath was in good spirits and and had spoken with his wife earlier this week. The tribal member tells KTVZ News that Heath was set to appear in court on Friday, which was confirmed by KTVZ.
According to court documents obtained by KTVZ News, Heath was being held at the Jefferson County Jail on charges of Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Heath was currently serving a deferred sentence dating back to earlier this year for Assault in the 4th Degree.
KTVZ News reached out to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office concerning Heath's case and we were directed to speak with the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office, who is handling the investigation.
A spokesperson for the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office tells KTVZ News they are aware of the incident and, "...are handling the investigation as an outside agency."
A member of Heath's family tells KTVZ News they have reached out to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office for additional information and have only been told Health's case is under investigation. KTVZ News also received the same response from the sheriff's office.
