McMinn County inmate passes away while in custody

photo McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy

Marcus Dyer, 27, of Athens, an inmate at the McMinn County Justice Center, passed away at Woods Memorial Hospital this afternoon around 3:30 p.m., according to McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy.

The sheriff said that at around 2:30 p.m., Dyer approached corrections officers in the Main Mail housing area of the McMinn County Justice Center, complaining of chest pain. As officers contacted the jail nurse and called Emergency Medical Services, Dyer collapsed.

"AMR ambulance service and the jail nurse were on the scene within minutes, and according to our corrections officers, Dyer regained consciousness," said Sheriff Guy. "Dyer was transported to Woods Memorial Hospital, and after his arrival it appears his condition deteriorated rapidly and he passed away around 330pm."

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Marcus Dyer was in custody for failure to properly register with the sex offender registry. He was serving a 180-day sentence and was scheduled for release on Dec. 29, 2011.

Sheriff Guy added that an autopsy has been requested to accurately determine a cause of death, and an internal investigation is underway as is standard procedure in an inmate death.

"Anytime an inmate passes away while in custody it is an unfortunate situation," said Sheriff Guy. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Marcus's family."

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