Odell
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the death of an inmate at the Columbia County Detention Facility.
According to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, 74-year-old David Odell died around 5:30 a.m. Thursday from health complications while housed in the jail’s medical observation unit.
A CCSO release said detention staff noticed Odell was in medical distress while conducting routine checks and immediately began to provide aid. Odell could not be revived despite the efforts of the detention staff and EMS.
“We take our responsibility to care for those who are in our custody very seriously,” Sheriff Mark Hunter said in a release. “While we provide the best care we possibly can, these unfortunate situations cannot always be avoided. Our condolences are with Mr. Odell’s family.”
Sgt. Steven Khachigan, a CCSO spokesman, said he was not aware of what medical condition led to Odell being held in the medical unit at the jail.
“I don’t know why or any of his prior medical history,” Khachigan said.
O’Dell was being held at the county’s detention facility awaiting transport to Pennsylvania where he was wanted on a sex offender registration violation warrant.
According to the CCSO, Odell’s next of kin has been notified.
The FDLE was called in to conduct an impartial investigation.