Inmate hangs self in van with seat belt, Arkansas sheriff says

CAMDEN — An inmate from another county was found unresponsive after arriving at the Ouachita County jail on Thursday night, according to a news release from the jail.

Ouachita County Sheriff David Norwood said William Reather, 34, was being transferred from Grant County on a bench warrant, felony charges and a violation of an order of protection.

When the transportation van arrived at the sally port of the jail, the driver discovered the inmate had used his body weight to hang himself with a seat belt, according to Norwood.

Norwood said the Arkansas State Police is investigating the death, and the body has been sent to the state Crime Laboratory.

Norwood said the driver adhered to procedures.

“All of our policies and everything were followed,” Norwood said. “The driver had talked to the inmate at the red light in Fordyce, but you can’t see back into the van because of the Plexiglass. … The inmate and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.”

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