Detectives Say Death Of Palm Harbor Man Under Investigation

PALM HARBOR, FL – Detectives do not think there is anything suspicious in the death of a Pinellas County Jail inmate.

Luis B. Nieves, 56, of 205 Dempsey Road, Palm Harbor, died on June 11 at 10:48 p.m. while in custody at the Pinellas County Jail, 14400 49th St. N. in Clearwater.

According to detectives, at 7:43 p.m. on Monday, June 11, deputies were called to a home at 178 Margie St. in Palm Harbor for a battery. Upon their arrival, deputies arrested Nieves for one count of felony battery and possession of cocaine.

Deputies told detectives Nieves was intoxicated and he admitted to drinking whiskey. Nieves never informed deputies he needed medical attention or showed signs that he was in medical distress.

Nieves was placed alone in the back of a G4S transport van and taken to the Pinellas County Jail.

At about 10:10 p.m., the transport van arrived at the jail and Nieves was found unresponsive in the back of the vehicle. Jail medical staff performed Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation on Nieves and then transported him to Largo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.

Detectives say Nieves had no obvious injuries and there was no use of force.

The Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine cause and manner of death.

Image via Pinellas Sheriff