The Portland Police Department is investigating the death of an inmate who was found unresponsive in their cell at the Cumberland County Jail early Sunday morning.
Cumberland County Sheriff Kevin Joyce said in an email Sunday evening that the inmate is a 30-year-old male, who was listed in jail records as transient.
Joyce said the man had been incarcerated at the jail since December 2021 and was being held on charges of violating the conditions of his release for aggravated drug trafficking charges and unlawful possession of scheduled drugs.
The jail is not going to identify the inmate until his next of kin have been notified.
According to a news release issued by Captain John Costello, a jail corrections officer discovered the inmate while making rounds at 5:39 a.m.
The officer called for assistance, but lifesaving measures by jail security, medical staff, and a Portland’s ambulance service crew were unsuccessful.
Costello provided no details about the manner or cause of the man’s death, which will be determined by the Chief Medical Examiner.
This is at least the fourth death in a county jail and the third at Cumberland County Jail in the past three months.
On July 6, 65-year-old Kevin Whitford of Sanford was found dead in his cell at the Cumberland County Jail. A cause of death has not been reported.
The same week, 35-year-old Nicole Turner, of Biddeford, was found dead in the York County Jail of a suspected overdose.
On June 4, authorities at the Cumberland County Jail reported the suspected suicide death of 32-year-old Billy Tucker, who was listed as transient.
In May, a 40-year-old unnamed inmate attempted suicide at the Cumberland County jail and died in the hospital two days later, Sheriff Kevin Joyce said.
Staff Writer Dennis Hoey contributed to this report
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
