A 70-year-old man died early Tuesday after suffering a medical emergency while in custody at the Alachua County Jail.
Gainesville, FL – In the early hours of Tuesday morning, detention officers at the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail discovered 70-year-old inmate Ernest Gent experiencing signs of a possible medical illness. Medical staff were immediately called to evaluate his condition.
Key Points
- Inmate Ernest Gent, 70, suffered a medical crisis while in custody early Tuesday.
- Life-saving measures were initiated, but Gent was later pronounced dead at UF Health.
- Authorities say the death appears to be from natural causes pending autopsy results.
Investigation underway following in-custody death
During the night, Gent became unconscious and stopped breathing. Detention officers and on-site medical personnel began life-saving efforts while contacting the Alachua County Sheriff’s Combined Communications Center to dispatch Alachua County Fire Rescue. Gent was transported to UF Health Emergency Department, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Officials: Preliminary signs point to natural causes
According to the sheriff’s office, initial findings indicate Gent’s death “appears to be due to natural causes.” The 8th Circuit Medical Examiner’s Office has taken over the case and will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division, Office of Professional Standards, and Forensics Team responded to both the jail and UF Health to carry out a full investigation.
Sheriff Emery Gainey expressed condolences, saying any loss of life in custody is deeply felt. “Our thoughts are with the friends, family, and loved ones of Mr. Gent as they mourn his loss,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
