Coroner identifies Whitman County Jail inmate who died

April 7, 2026 Updated Tue., April 7, 2026 at 5:40 p.m.

By Garrett Cabeza garrettc@spokesman.com (509) 459-5135

An inmate who died Sunday at the Whitman County Jail has been identified as 30-year-old Jesse William Harrell, according to the Whitman County Coroner’s Office.

The coroner’s office said in a news release that it is investigating Harrell’s cause and manner of death.

Several Whitman County Sheriff’s Office officials could not be reached for comment Monday and Tuesday.

The Lewiston Tribune reported a Whitman County corrections officer found Harrell unconscious during regular rounds. The officer and other first responders tried to save Harrell’s life, but he died.

Harrell was booked Wednesday into the jail on a Garfield County warrant for forgery, according to the Whitman County Jail website. He was also facing malicious mischief and attempted escape charges.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.

Coroner identifies Whitman County Jail inmate who died

Jesse Tinsley

Jim Meehan

Molly Quinn

Rob Curley

Spokane man gets life in prison for three separate assaults over 18-year period

New: Washington records

Judge sentences man who lit homeless person on fire to 16 years in prison