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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Inmate dies in Spokane County Jail

Other inmates present, no sign of trauma

Deputies escort inmates through the corridors of the Spokane County Jail on Tuesday. (Dan Pelle)
An inmate died last night in the Spokane County Jail, prompting an investigation into both the cause and manner of death. Sheriff’s spokesman Deputy Mark Gregory said in a news release that 57-year-old John E. Murphy was discovered unresponsive at 10:30 p.m. “Medical assistance was requested and life-saving measures were attempted by corrections officers and nurses, but unfortunately they were unsuccessful,” Gregory wrote. Murphy was not alone in his cell, he said.. “While there were other offenders housed in the same dorm, there were no signs of altercation or obvious signs of trauma,” Gregory said. Major crimes detectives will investigate the Murphy’s death and the Spokane County Medical Examiner will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.