Jail inmate found dead in cell

A 59-year-old inmate was found dead in his cell tonight at the Spokane County Jail. The man, who was not identified, appeared to have died of natural causes, said Sgt. Dave Reagan, Spokane County Sheriff’s Office spokesman. Corrections officers serving dinner knocked on the inmate’s cell door about 5 p.m. When he did not respond, officers found him dead inside, Reagan said. The jail was briefly put in lock-down status until staff determined there was nothing suspicious about the inmate’s death. The man had no significant medical history, and was being held in an area known as the general population. He was booked into the jail Oct. 18 on charges of second-degree assault, Reagan said.