Inmate death investigated at Airway Heights

State prison officials are investigating the death of an inmate over the weekend, but a criminal investigation has not been requested. Dale Stahl, 57, died Saturday at Airway Heights Corrections Center, an incident that has officially been listed as an “unexpected death,” prison spokeswoman Risa Klemme said. “Because it was an unexpected death, an autopsy is being performed,” she said. “Secondly, any time there is an unexpected death there is a critical incident review,” and that review is scheduled for Friday or next week. The Spokane County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed that an autopsy has been performed, but the cause and manner of death have yet to be determined while authorities await the results of toxicology reports that could take up to 10 weeks to complete. Washington State Patrol Trooper Troy Briggs said his agency typically would be called to conduct a criminal investigation, but one has not been requested. Klemme did not immediately provide details of how long Stahl had been an inmate at the facility or his release date. A check of Spokane County Court records did not list a conviction for Stahl.