EPHRATA — The Columbia Basin Investigative Team will be investigating the death of an inmate found unresponsive in his cell at the Grant County Jail early Tuesday morning. The name of the victim, 54 years of age, has not been released. 

“Around 7 a.m., jail staff found the man inside a special holding cell for people in crisis,” said Kyle Foreman, public information officer for the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, in a press release. “He was not awake, did not respond to them, was not breathing and had no pulse.” 

Jail staff began resuscitation attempts; emergency medical personnel from Lifeline Ambulance and the Ephrata Fire Department responded and continued the attempts.  

“However, the man was pronounced dead about 7:30 a.m.,” Foreman said. “He was the only person in the holding cell.” 

The man was arrested Friday afternoon by the Moses Lake Police Department and booked on suspicion of trafficking stolen property and theft. He had been in jail since his arrest, Foreman said. 

Grant County Sheriff Joe Kriete requested a CBIT investigation. While it includes law enforcement officers from throughout Grant, Adams and Kittitas counties, no personnel from GCSO or MLPD will be on the investigation team. 

“We recognize that any death in custody can be distressing for family members, staff, and the community. Support services are available to employees,” Kriete said. “The Grant County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring a thorough, fair, and compassionate review of this incident, and is cooperating with the investigation.” 

This case will be investigated by detectives from the Ellensburg Police Department, Othello Police Department and Washington State Patrol, Foreman said. Troy Froewiss, captain with the Ephrata Police Department, will be the contact. Any additional information on the investigation will be released by the CBIT.