GBI Investigating Death of SC Jail Inmate

UPDATE: 8/9/24 11:40 a.m. – WNEG News has received official word that next of kin notification has been completed for Tamatha Ausborn, 46, of Toccoa, who was pronounced deceased at the Stephens County Jail on August 5. Ausborn had been booked into the jail on July 17. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has been on site and the investigation into the death is current and active, so there is no additional information available at this time. WNEG News will update this story when there is a GBI update on the case.

The original news article is attached below. 

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On Monday, August 5, an inmate at the Stephens County Jail died while in custody, according to a press release issued yesterday evening at 10 p.m.

According to the press release provided to WNEG News by Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, “the jail nurse was evaluating an inmate housed in the Stephens County Jail and during this time, the inmate began to lose consciousness. Jail staff immediately contacted 911 Dispatch. While being checked by the jail medical nurse, the inmate went into cardiac arrest. The on duty nurse and jail staff immediately began administering life saving techniques including CPR and usage of Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Sadly, despite all the efforts by medical and jail staff, the inmate was pronounced deceased at the scene.”

Shirley said that SCSO policy requires that all in-custody deaths be investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and he said the GBI has been contacted regarding the August 5 death. 

Yesterday, August 6, the Stephens County Coroner’s Office transported the inmate to the GBI Crime Lab. WNEG News contacted Stephens County Coroner Chris Stephens regarding cause of death, and late last night, Stephens told WNEG News that “it will probably be 60-90 days before I get any results back from the autopsy.”

Shirley said that identification of the inmate will not be released at this time, pending notification of the inmate’s next-of-kin. 

WNEG News will publish the inmate’s identity as soon as it is confirmed that next of kin has been notified, and will continue to monitor this story and the GBI investigation and provide updates as they are made available.