Man Dies in Arlington Detention Facility, Had History of Medical Issues

Arlington County announced Saturday that a man died in the county jail early Saturday.

Edward Straughn, 53, who the County said had a history of medical problems, died in the early hours Saturday after being found unconscious in a medical cell of the Arlington County Detention Facility.

The County did not specify the medical problems.

Arlington County Sheriff’s Deputies and nurses began immediate resuscitation efforts after finding Staughn, before Fire Department rescue units arrived and transported Straughn to the Virginia Hospital Center, the County said. He was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:38 a.m., according to the County.

Straughn had been incarcerated at 7:45 p.m. Friday, on a delayed confinement stemming from a trespassing conviction, according to the County. Because of his history of medical issues, he was placed in a medical cell, near a nursing station, the County noted.

His family was informed of his death Saturday morning, the County said.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Medical Examiner’s Office and, following standard procedure, the death is being investigated by the Arlington County Police Department.

This is the second death at the County’s Detention Facility this year. The first occurred on August 22, 2015, when a 48-year-old detainee with a history of medical issues was discovered unconscious in his cell and later died.